Compositions and methods for diagnosis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases

ABSTRACT

Compositions including small molecule biochemicals, and salts and derivatives thereof, and methods for detection, treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases are provided, including compositions and methods for detecting and treating conditions that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of PCT Appl. No. PCT/US2020/012376, filed Jan. 6, 2020, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No. 62/790,423, filed Jan. 9, 2019. The aforementioned application is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, and is hereby expressly made a part of this specification.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED R&D

The United States Government has certain rights in this invention, under CRADA Number NCRADA-SSCPACIFIC-17-261.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Compositions including small molecule biochemicals, and salts and derivatives thereof, and methods for detection, treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases are provided, including compositions and methods for detecting and treating conditions that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Neurodegenerative diseases are chronic, progressive and incurable conditions that affect neurons in the brain and result in impaired movement, cognition, memory and behavior. Neurodegenerative diseases include Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy. Recognized contributors to the presence and severity of neurodegenerative diseases include peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia. As such, better detecting and treating these conditions have been proposed as a means to detect and treat neurodegenerative diseases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Compositions and methods for the detection, treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases are provided. These compositions comprise one or more small molecule biochemicals, derivatives of these biochemicals, or salts thereof, which may be administered in combination with other medicaments or as part of various treatment regimens as described herein. The provided compositions are effective for modulating markers of neurodegenerative diseases. Methods are provided for detecting neurodegenerative diseases using blood-based biomarkers and administering the compositions.

Accordingly, in a generally applicable first aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), a pharmaceutical composition is provided comprising: one or more small molecule biochemicals, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals are selected from the group consisting of one or more small molecule biochemicals; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In an embodiment of the first aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the one or more small molecules is a metabolite described herein.

In an embodiment of the first aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the composition is in a unit dosage form.

In an embodiment of the first aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the pharmaceutical composition is configured for administration of from 2.5 mg to 50 mg, per 1 kg of body weight, of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to a patient.

In an embodiment of the first aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the pharmaceutical composition is configured for administration once per day.

In an embodiment of the first aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the pharmaceutical composition comprises from 0.01 mg to 10000 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In a generally applicable second aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), use is provided of a pharmaceutical composition of the first aspect or any embodiment thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy.

In an embodiment of the second aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the use is in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment or prophylaxis of contributors to the presence and severity of neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia.

In an embodiment of the second aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the pharmaceutical composition is configured to modulate a marker of neurodegenerative diseases or contributors to neurodegenerative diseases or a symptom of neurodegenerative diseases or contributors to neurodegenerative diseases.

In an embodiment of the second aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the marker of conditions related to neurodegenerative diseases is selected from the group consisting of serum or plasma small molecule biochemical or metabolite concentration, glucose or indices of inflammation (i.e., proinflammatory cytokines, neutrophils, C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or fibrinogen), or central nervous system inflammation, amyloid-β plaques, or iron.

In an embodiment of the second aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the pharmaceutical composition is configured to increase a serum, red blood cell, or tissue concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals to between 0.2 μM and 20 μM.

In a generally applicable third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), a method of treatment or prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases and contributors to neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy, and other related conditions, comprising: administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of one or more small molecule biochemicals, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals are selected from the group described herein.

In an embodiment of the third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is provided as a pharmaceutical composition in a unit dosage form comprising the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

In an embodiment of the third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the unit dosage form comprises from 0.01 mg to 10000 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

In an embodiment of the third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the one or more small molecule biochemicals described herein.

In an embodiment of the third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the pharmaceutical composition comprises a plurality of different small molecule biochemicals described herein.

In an embodiment of the third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), from 2.5 mg to 50 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is administered to the patient, per 1 kg of body weight, per day.

In an embodiment of the third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof is administered to the patient once per day.

In an embodiment of the third aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), a serum, tissue, or a red blood cell membrane concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals is increased 1.25 to 6 times above the patient's baseline levels to achieve concentrations between 0.5 μM and 20 μM.

In a generally applicable fourth aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), a composition substantially as described herein is provided.

In a generally applicable fifth aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), a composition substantially as described herein is provided.

In a generally applicable sixth aspect (i.e., independently combinable with any of the aspects or embodiments identified herein), a use substantially as described herein is provided.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. provides representative images (positive control, human; negative control, dolphin; case example, dolphin) of amyloid-β plaques (a-c) and CD68⁺ cell (d-f) staining, with a focus on dolphin brain tissue. Positive immunoreactivity for amyloid-β and CD68⁺ cells was visualized with DAB (brown). Hematoxylin was used as nuclear counterstain (blue). The scale bar represents 20 μM.

FIG. 2. provides a graph demonstrating T cell antiproliferative activity of 4-hydroxyglutamate at increasing concentrations (up to and not including 20 μM) in a human primary cell-based system mimicking T-cell driven chronic inflammation. *Value outside the 95% significance envelope generated from historical vehicle controls.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Compositions including one or more small molecule biochemicals, and associated methods for detection and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and contributors to neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition, hyperglycemia and other related conditions, are provided.

Chronic, low-grade inflammation characterized by increased circulating and local levels of proinflammatory cytokines, neutrophils, and progressively activated macrophages contribute to the onset and severity of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia (Blasko I, Stampfer-Kountchev M, Robatscher P, Veerhuis R, Eikelenboom P, Grubeck-Loebenstein B (2004) How chronic inflammation can affect the brain and support the development of Alzheimer's disease in old age: the role of microglia and astrocytes. Aging Cell 3:S4-S9). Treatment of inflammation may decrease neuronal dysfunction associated with neurodegenerative diseases (McGeer P L, McGeer E G (2004) Inflammation and Parkinson's disease. Parkinsonism Rel Dis 10:S3-S7). As such, interventions to reduce chronic, pro-inflammatory states have been proposed to treat neurodegenerative diseases.

Amyloid-β peptides and plaque formation in the brain are a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (Palop J J, Mucke L (2010) Amyloid-β induced neuronal dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease: from synapses toward neural networks. Nat Neurosci 13:812-818). Amyloid-β plaques, which increase with age and have preferential deposition in the hippocampus, can cause neuronal dysfunction, presumably resulting in the clinical signs of Alzheimer's disease. While there remains no cure for Alzheimer's disease, amyloid-β plaques have long been the primary target of drugs in development.

Iron accumulates with age in tissues, including the brain (Hirose W, Ikematsu K, and Tsuda R (2003) Age-associated increases in heme oxygenase-1 and ferritin immunoreactivity in the autopsied brain. Legal Med 5:S360-366). Accumulated iron in the brain induces oxidative damage in tissues and contributes to neurodegenerative diseases, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Friedreich ataxia, and neuroferritinopathy. (Zecca L, Youdim M B H, Riederer P, Connor J R, Crichton R R (2004) Iron, brain ageing and neurodegenerative disorders. Nature Rev Neurosci 5:863-873). As such, compounds that reduce iron overload and hyperferritinemia have been proposed as therapeutic targets for aging-associated diseases (Bartzokis G, Tishler T A, Lu P H, Villablanca P, Altshuler L L, Carter M et al. (2007) Brain ferritin iron may influence age- and gender-related risks of neurodegeneration. Neurobiol Aging 28:414-423).

Prediabetic and diabetic conditions, including hyperglycemia, are risk factors for neurodegenerative diseases. Hyperglycemia induces oxidative stress and resultant neurodegeneration (Kumar P, Raman T, Swain M M, Mishra R, Pal A (2017) Hyperglycemia-induced oxidative-nitrosative stress induces inflammation and neurodegeneration via augmented tuberous sclerosis complex-2 (TSC-2) activation in neuronal cells. Mol Neurobiol 54:238-254). As such, interventions that reduce glucose may aid in treating neurodegenerative diseases (Pugazhenthi S, Qin L, Reddy H (2017) Common neurodegenerative pathways in obesity, diabetes, and Alzheimer's disease. BBA—Mol Bas Dis 1863:1037-1045).

It is an object of certain of the embodiments to provide a method for detecting protective factors for and risk factors against neurodegenerative conditions provided herein, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy, and conditions that cause and exacerbate neurodegenerative diseases, including but not limited to peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia, and other related conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for treating neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for detecting neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. It is an object of certain of the embodiments to provide a method for increasing the serum, plasma, or erythrocyte membrane level of one or more small molecule biochemicals or small molecule metabolite derivatives, including but not limited to biochemicals listed in Table 2, for example, an amino acid, such as hippurate, and/or certain lipids, such as phosphatidylcholine (20:0/16:1), in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a small molecule biochemical or metabolite supplement or prescription therapeutic for treating or preventing neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for detecting and/or treating neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans, that is easy to accomplish in a cost-effective manner.

An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for modulating markers of neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for detecting neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions, including central and peripheral or central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia, and other related conditions, in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans.

An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for increasing a small molecule biochemical or metabolite in the sera, plasma, or erythrocyte membranes of mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for detecting or treating neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a small molecule biochemical or metabolite substantially free from other small molecule biochemicals in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans.

It is an object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for detecting and treating neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as a biochemical listed in Table 1, for treating neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for prophylaxis of neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for detecting neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions in mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a small molecule biochemical or metabolite as described herein to supplement for treating neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions, such as companion animals and humans.

An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a bioavailable form of small molecule biochemicals to mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide one or more small molecule biochemicals described herein with one or more other small molecule biochemicals described herein to mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain embodiments is to provide a method for increasing small molecule biochemicals described herein in the sera of mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans. An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide a method for altering concentrations of a variety of small molecule biochemicals as described herein in the sera, plasma, or erythrocyte membranes of mammal subjects, such as companion animals and humans.

An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide methods of attenuating or treating, by administering the small molecule biochemicals described herein, neurodegenerative diseases that are driven or exacerbated by the following factors may be attenuated or treated by selected compounds: alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2).

An object of certain of the embodiments is to provide methods of attenuating or treating, by administering the small molecule biochemicals described herein, Th1- and Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, metabolic diseases, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary responses to respiratory infections, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation.

Compositions including one or more of certain small molecule biochemicals from contained herein, and associated methods for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases are provided. Compositions including one or more bioavailable biochemicals contained herein are provided.

Compositions including one or more of certain small molecule biochemicals from Table 1, and associated methods for treatment of inflammation are provided. Compositions including one or more bioavailable biochemicals contained herein are provided.

Compositions including one or more of certain small molecule biochemicals from Table 1, and associated methods for treatment of hyperglycemia are provided. Compositions including one or more bioavailable biochemicals contained herein are provided.

Compositions including one or more of certain small molecule biochemicals from Table 1, and associated methods for treatment of amyloid-β accumulation are provided. Compositions including one or more bioavailable biochemicals contained herein are provided.

Compositions including one or more of certain small molecule biochemicals contained herein, and associated methods for treatment of neuronal iron deposition are provided. Compositions including one or more bioavailable biochemicals contained herein are provided.

One or more than one of the aforementioned objects is provided by or achieved by the various compositions, methods, and uses as described herein. Definitions

The term “alcohol” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to any compound as described herein incorporating one or more hydroxy groups, or being substituted by or functionalized to include one or more hydroxy groups.

The term “short-chain fatty acid” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a fatty acid with 2-6 carbon atoms

The term “medium-chain fatty acid” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a fatty acid with 7-12 carbon atoms.

The term “long-chain fatty acid” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a fatty acid with 13-22 carbon atoms.

The term “very long chain fatty acid” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a fatty acid with 23 or more carbon atoms.

The term “derivative” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to any compound as described herein incorporating one or more derivative groups, or being substituted by or functionalized to include one or more derivative groups. Derivatives include but are not limited to esters, amides, anhydrides, acid halides, thioesters, phosphates, triphosphates, and β-sulfenyl derivatives.

The term “hydrocarbon” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to any moiety comprising only carbon and hydrogen atoms. A functionalized or substituted hydrocarbon moiety has one or more substituents as described elsewhere herein.

The term “lipid” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to saturated and unsaturated oils and waxes, derivatives, amides, glycerides, small molecule biochemicals, fatty alcohols, sterol and sterol derivatives, phospholipids, ceramides, sphingolipids, tocopherols, and carotenoids, among others.

The terms “pharmaceutically acceptable” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to those compounds, materials, compositions, and/or dosage forms which are, within the scope of sound medical judgment, suitable for contact with the tissues of and/or for consumption by human beings and animals without excessive toxicity, irritation, allergic response, or other problem complications commensurate with a reasonable risk/benefit ratio.

The terms “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” and “a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof” as used herein are broad terms, and are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refer without limitation to salts prepared from pharmaceutically acceptable, non-toxic acids or bases. Suitable pharmaceutically acceptable salts include metallic salts, e.g., salts of aluminum, zinc, alkali metal salts such as lithium, sodium, and potassium salts, alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium and magnesium salts; organic salts, e.g., salts of lysine, N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine, chloroprocaine, choline, diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, meglumine (N-methylglucamine), procaine, and tris; salts of free acids and bases; inorganic salts, e.g., sulfate, hydrochloride, and hydrobromide; and other salts which are currently in widespread pharmaceutical use and are listed in sources well known to those of skill in the art, such as, for example, The Merck Index. Any suitable constituent can be selected to make a salt of the therapeutic agents discussed herein, provided that it is non-toxic and does not substantially interfere with the desired activity. In addition to salts, pharmaceutically acceptable precursors and derivatives of the compounds can be employed. Pharmaceutically acceptable amides, lower alkyl derivatives, and protected derivatives can also be suitable for use in compositions and methods of preferred embodiments. While it may be possible to administer the compounds of the preferred embodiments in the form of pharmaceutically acceptable salts, it is generally preferred to administer the compounds in neutral form.

The term “pharmaceutical composition” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a mixture of one or more compounds disclosed herein with other chemical components, such as diluents or carriers. The pharmaceutical composition facilitates administration of the compound to an organism. Pharmaceutical compositions can also be obtained by reacting compounds with inorganic or organic acids or bases. Pharmaceutical compositions will generally be tailored to the specific intended route of administration.

The term “carrier” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a compound that facilitates the incorporation of a compound into cells or tissues. For example, without limitation, dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is a commonly utilized carrier that facilitates the uptake of many organic compounds into cells or tissues of a subject. Water, saline solution, ethanol, and mineral oil are also carriers employed in certain pharmaceutical compositions.

The term “diluent” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to an ingredient in a pharmaceutical composition that lacks pharmacological activity but may be pharmaceutically necessary or desirable. For example, a diluent may be used to increase the bulk of a potent drug whose mass is too small for manufacture and/or administration. It may also be a liquid for the dissolution of a drug to be administered by injection, ingestion or inhalation. A common form of diluent in the art is a buffered aqueous solution such as, without limitation, phosphate buffered saline that mimics the composition of human blood.

The term “excipient” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to a substance that is added to a pharmaceutical composition to provide, without limitation, bulk, consistency, stability, binding ability, lubrication, disintegrating ability etc., to the composition. A “diluent” is a type of excipient.

The term “subject” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to an animal that is the object of treatment, observation or experiment. “Animal” includes cold- and warm-blooded vertebrates and invertebrates such as fish, shellfish, reptiles and, in particular, mammals. “Mammal” includes, without limitation, dolphins, mice, rats, rabbits, guinea pigs, dogs, cats, sheep, goats, cows, horses, primates, such as monkeys, chimpanzees, and apes, and, in particular, humans. In some embodiments, the subject is human.

The terms “treating,” “treatment,” “therapeutic,” or “therapy” as used herein are broad terms, and are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning (and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning) and, without limitation, do not necessarily mean total cure or abolition of the disease or condition. Any alleviation of any undesired markers, signs or symptoms of a disease or condition, to any extent, can be considered treatment and/or therapy. Furthermore, treatment may include acts that may worsen the patient's overall feeling of well-being or appearance.

The terms “therapeutically effective amount” and “effective amount” as used herein are broad terms, and are to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and are used without limitation to indicate an amount of an active compound, or pharmaceutical agent, that elicits the biological or medicinal response indicated. For example, a therapeutically effective amount of compound can be the amount needed to prevent, alleviate or ameliorate markers or symptoms of a condition or prolong the survival of the subject being treated. This response may occur in a tissue, system, animal or human and includes alleviation of the signs or symptoms of the disease being treated. Determination of a therapeutically effective amount is well within the capability of those skilled in the art, in view of the disclosure provided herein. The therapeutically effective amount of the compounds disclosed herein required as a dose will depend on the route of administration, the type of animal, including human, being treated, and the physical characteristics of the specific animal under consideration. The dose can be tailored to achieve a desired effect, but will depend on such factors as weight, diet, concurrent medication and other factors which those skilled in the medical arts will recognize.

The term “solvents” as used herein is a broad term, and is to be given its ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art (and is not to be limited to a special or customized meaning), and refers without limitation to compounds with some characteristics of solvency for other compounds or means, that can be polar or nonpolar, linear or branched, cyclic or aliphatic, aromatic, naphthenic and that includes but is not limited to: alcohols, derivatives, diesters, ketones, acetates, terpenes, sulfoxides, glycols, paraffins, hydrocarbons, anhydrides, heterocyclics, among others.

Any percentages, ratios or other quantities referred to herein are on a weight basis, unless otherwise indicated.

Small Molecule Biochemicals

Small molecule biochemicals are low molecular weight (typically less than 900 daltons, but sometimes higher) and can include but are not limited to amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids (including but not limited to acyl carnitines, bile acids, ceramides, diacylglycerols, dicarboxylate fatty acids, monounsaturated free fatty acids, medium chain fatty acids, phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylethanolamines, plasmalogens, sphingolipids, or triacylglycerols), nucleotides, peptides or xenobiotics that can be identified and measured in the body and as provided herein. Small molecule biochemicals can originate from ingestion of food or other oral products or produced endogenously. Small molecule biochemicals are referred to and described using conventional nomenclature as is employed by one of skill in the art.

A small molecule biochemical or metabolite may be referred to by various names, for example, 5-oxoproline may be referred to as pyroglutamic acid.

In some embodiments, the small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide or xenobiotic as provided herein. In further embodiments, one or more small molecule biochemicals can include at least one amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide or xenobiotic as provided herein.

Small molecule biochemicals that are ideal candidates as both biomarkers and therapeutics are biochemicals that are successfully detected in serum at high nanomolar or micromolar levels that have a low molecular weight (<900 daltons) and meet Lipinski's rule of five. All biochemicals provided herein meet these criteria.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be an amino acid, including but not limited to 1-carboxyethylleucine, 1-carboxyethylvaline, 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (C5), 3-hydroxyisobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate, 4-guanidinobutanoate, 4-hydroxyglutamate, 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine, 5-oxoproline, betaine, creatine, indole-3-carboxylate, kynurenate, N6-acetyllysine, N-acetylalanine, N-acetylglycine, N-acetylisoleucine, N-acetylputrescine, N-acetyltaurine, N-acetylthreonine, pyroglutamine, vanillylmandelate (VMA), or xanthurenate. Derivatives can be synthesized by published methods.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be a peptide, including but not limited to gamma-glutamylcitrulline, or gamma-glutamylhistidine; a carbohydrate, including but not limited to arabitol/xylitol, lactate, pyruvate, ribitol, or S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH); a regulator of energy, including aconitate [cis or trans]; a nucleotide, including but not limited to 2′-deoxycytidine, 2′-deoxyuridine, adenine, thymidine, or xanthosine; or a xenobiotic, including but not limited to benzoylcarnitine, erythritol, hippurate, methylnaphthyl sulfate, or O-sulfo-L-tyrosine. Derivatives can be synthesized by published methods.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be a diacylglycerol (DAG), including but not limited to DAG (18:1/20:2); or a sphingolipid, including but not limited to lactosylceramide (LCER) 18:1. Derivatives can be synthesized by published methods.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be a lipid, including but not limited to caprate (10:0), ceramide (CER) 14:0, chenodeoxycholate, cholate, free fatty acid (FFA) 18:1, lignoceroylcarnitine (C24), maleate, or myo-inositol. Derivatives can be synthesized by published methods.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be a part or product of fatty acid metabolism, including but not limited to propionylglycine, lignoceroylcarnitine (C24), cerotoylcarnitine (C26), N-palmitoylglycine, cis-4-decenoylcarnitine (C10:1), behenoylcarnitine (C22), pentadecanoylcarnitine (C15), or arachidonoylcholine. Derivatives can be synthesized by published methods.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be a phosphatidylcholine, including but not limited to PC (12:0/20:1), PC (20:0/16:1), PC (20:0/18:1), PC (20:0/18:2), PC (20:0/20:3), PC (20:0/20:4), or PC (20:0/20:5); a phosphatidylethanolamine ester, including but not limited to PE (14:0/20:1), PE (16:0/20:1), PE (16:0/22:4), PE (18:1/22:0), PE (18:1/22:4), PE (18:1/22:5) or PE (18:1/22:6); a phosphatidylethanolamine ether, including but not limited to PE (0-16:0/16:1) or PE (O-18:0/20:1); or a phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen, including but not limited to PE (P-16:0/18:0), PE (P-18:0/18:1), PE (P-18:0/18:2), PE (P-18:0/22:2), PE (P-18:0/18:1), or PE (P-18:2/22:6). Derivatives can be synthesized by published methods.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be a triacylglycerol ester, including but not limited to TAG52:1-FA20:0, TAG52:2-FA20:0, TAG54:0-FA16:0, TAG54:1-FA18:1, TAG54:1-FA20:0, TAG54:2-FA20:0, TAG54:4-FA20:4, TAG55:6-FA20:3, TAG56:1-FA18:1, TAG56:2-FA20:0, TAG56:4-FA22:4, TAG58:5-FA18:1, TAG58:6-FA22:4, or TAG58:7-FA22:4. Derivatives can be synthesized by published methods.

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite is provided in a bioavailable form. The term “bioavailability” refers to the fraction of an administered dose of unchanged drug that reaches the systemic circulation, one of the principal pharmacokinetic properties of drugs. By definition, when a medication is administered intravenously, its bioavailability is 100%. As employed herein, the term “bioavailable” refers to a form of the small molecule biochemical or metabolite that is successfully absorbed by the body when using methods of administration other than intravenous, for example, an oral therapeutic). In some embodiments, small molecule biochemical- or metabolite-based compositions may include adaptions that optimize absorption.

A pure or purified small molecule biochemical or metabolite may exist in various physical states. For example, 4-hydroxyglutamate exists as a white powder that is stable at room temperature; this compound can be purchased in forms suitable for research purposes in small amounts from some commercial suppliers (for example, from Sigma-Aldrich Corp., of St. Louis, Mo.). Other small molecule biochemicals, or stereoisomers, or solvates, or esters, or salts or other derivatives thereof, may exist as oils, solids, crystalline solids, or gases.

A small molecule biochemical or metabolite or the pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives thereof, may be provided in a purity (e.g., a percentage of the small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives, in a bulk form) of at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, at least about 99.9%, at least about 99.99%, or substantially pure, wherein substantially pure may include, but not be limited to, a product with impurities at a level such that no physiological effect from the presence of the impurities is detectable. A mixture of small molecule biochemicals, such as, for example, an amino acid and/or lipid, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives thereof, may be present in a purity of at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, at least about 95%, at least about 98%, at least about 99%, at least about 99.9%, at least about 99.99%, or substantially pure. The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a mixture thereof, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, may be free from other small molecule biochemicals. Without limitation, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite as provided herein may be substantially free from other small molecule biochemicals, singly or taken as a group; small molecule biochemicals to exclude, for example, can include palmitic acid (C16:0) or stearic acid (C18:0). In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite as provided herein may be substantially free from other species of lipids not included herein.

A small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide, or xenobiotic, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, may be from any source. In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives, may be present in natural sources, may be isolated from natural sources, may be semi-synthetic, may be synthetic, or may be a mixture of one or more of these. The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or its pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives, may be produced in a laboratory, may be produced in nature, may be produced by enzymatic processes, may be produced by wild microbes, may be produced by genetically modified microbes, may be isolated from animal tissues, may be produced by chemical synthesis, or may be produced by a plurality of these processes.

The small molecule biochemical or metabolite may be derived from natural sources, e.g., fish oils, or can be synthesized by methods as are known in the art. In some embodiments, the small molecule biochemical or metabolite may be contaminated with undesired components present in unrefined or unpurified natural products. In such situations, it can be desirable to remove undesired components, or to increase the concentration of desired components using known separation or purification techniques.

In any compound described, all tautomeric forms are also intended to be included. Without limitation, all tautomers of carboxylic groups are intended to be included.

In any compound described herein having one or more double bond(s) generating geometrical isomers that can be defined as E or Z, each double bond may independently be E or Z, or a mixture thereof.

Where compounds disclosed herein have unfilled valencies, then the valencies are to be filled with hydrogens or isotopes thereof, e.g., hydrogen-1 (protium) and hydrogen-2 (deuterium).

The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide, or xenobiotic, as described herein, includes crystalline forms (also known as polymorphs, which include the different crystal packing arrangements of the same elemental composition of a compound), amorphous phases, salts, solvates, and hydrates. In some embodiments, the compounds described herein exist in solvated forms with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, or the like. In other embodiments, the compounds described herein exist in unsolvated form. Solvates contain either stoichiometric or non-stoichiometric amounts of a solvent, and may be formed during the process of crystallization with pharmaceutically acceptable solvents such as water, ethanol, or the like. Hydrates are formed when the solvent is water, or alcoholates are formed when the solvent is alcohol. In addition, the compounds provided herein can exist in unsolvated as well as solvated forms. In general, the solvated forms are considered equivalent to the unsolvated forms for the purposes of the compounds and methods provided herein.

The compounds described herein can be labeled isotopically. In some circumstances, substitution with isotopes such as deuterium may afford certain therapeutic advantages resulting from greater metabolic stability, such as, for example, increased in vivo half-life or reduced dosage requirements. Isotopic substitution may be beneficial in monitoring subject response to administration of a compound, for example, by providing opportunity for monitoring of the fate of an atom in a compound. Each chemical element as represented in a compound structure may include any isotope of said element. For example, in a compound structure a hydrogen atom may be explicitly disclosed or understood to be present in the compound. At any position of the compound that a hydrogen atom may be present, the hydrogen atom can be any isotope of hydrogen, including but not limited to hydrogen-1 (protium) and hydrogen-2 (deuterium). Thus, reference herein to a compound encompasses all potential isotopic forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

Pharmaceutical Compositions Including One or More Small Molecule Biochemicals

Formulations including a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide, or xenobiotic, or a salt or derivative thereof, and at least one excipient are provided. It is generally preferred to administer the compounds of the embodiments in oral formulations; however, other routes of administration are also contemplated.

The pharmaceutical compositions described herein can be administered by themselves to a subject, or in compositions where they are mixed with other active agents, as in combination therapy, or with carriers, diluents, excipients or combinations thereof. Formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen. Techniques for formulation and administration of the compounds described herein are known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g., “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 20th edition (Jun. 1, 2003) and “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Pub. Co.; 18th and 19th editions (December 1985, and June 1990, respectively).

The pharmaceutical compositions disclosed herein may be manufactured by a process that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, tableting, or extracting processes. Many of the compounds used in the pharmaceutical combinations disclosed herein may be provided as salts with pharmaceutically acceptable counterions.

Multiple techniques of administering a compound exist in the art including, but not limited to, oral, rectal, topical, aerosol, injection and parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramedullary injections, intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intraperitoneal, intranasal and intraocular injections. Contemplated herein is any combination of the forgoing, or other methods as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see, e.g., “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 20th edition (Jun. 1, 2003) and “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Pub. Co.; 18th and 19th editions (December 1985, and June 1990, respectively).

In practice, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide, or xenobiotic, contained herein or a salt or derivative thereof, may be combined as the active ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The carrier can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be presented as discrete units suitable for oral administration such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient. Further, the compositions can be presented as an oil, a powder, as granules, as a solution, as a suspension in an aqueous liquid, as a non-aqueous liquid, as an oil-in-water emulsion, or as a water-in-oil liquid emulsion. In addition to the common dosage forms set out above, the compounds provided herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts or derivatives thereof, can also be administered by controlled release means and/or delivery devices. The compositions can be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy. In general, such methods include a step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier that constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredient with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both. The product can then be conveniently shaped into the desired presentation.

A formulation may also be administered in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the compound directly into the infected area, often in a depot or sustained release formulation. Furthermore, a targeted drug delivery system might be used, for example, in a liposome coated with a tissue specific antibody.

The pharmaceutical compositions may contain a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide, or xenobiotic, contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, in an amount effective for the desired therapeutic effect. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions are in a unit dosage form and comprise from about 0.1 mg or less to about 5000 mg or more per unit dosage form. In further embodiments, the pharmaceutical compositions comprise from about 1 to about 500 mg per unit dosage form or from about 500 to 5000 mg per unit dosage form. Such dosage forms may be solid, semisolid, liquid, an emulsion, or adapted for delivery via aerosol or the like for inhalation administration.

The pharmaceutical carrier employed can be, for example, a solid, liquid, or gas. Examples of solid carriers include lactose, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. Examples of liquid carriers are sugar syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, lower alcohols, and water. Examples of gaseous carriers include carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Pharmaceutical compositions provided herein can be prepared as solutions or suspensions of the active compound(s) in water. A suitable surfactant can be included such as, for example, hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof in oils. Further, a preservative can be included to, for example, prevent the detrimental growth of microorganisms.

Pharmaceutical compositions provided herein suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions. Furthermore, the compositions can be in the form of sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of such sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. The pharmaceutical compositions must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage; thus, preferably should be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol), vegetable oils, and suitable mixtures thereof.

In addition to the aforementioned carrier ingredients, the pharmaceutical formulations described above can include, as appropriate, one or more additional carrier ingredients such as diluents, buffers, flavoring agents, binders, surface-active agents, thickeners, lubricants, preservatives (including anti-oxidants) and the like. Furthermore, other adjuvants can be included to render the formulation isotonic with the blood of the intended recipient. Compositions containing a compound provided herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, can also be prepared in powder or liquid concentrate form for dilution.

The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide, or xenobiotic contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, can be formulated as a liposome. The small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be a component of the lipid portion of the liposome or can be encapsulated in the aqueous portion of the liposome. The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, can also be coformulated with a cyclodextrin. The cyclodextrin can be, for example, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or a sulfobutylether cyclodextrin.

Contemplated herein are compositions including a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof in combination with at least one additional active agent. A small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, and the at least one additional active agent(s) may be present in a single formulation or in multiple formulations provided together, or may be unformulated (for example, free of excipients and carriers). In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, can be administered with one or more additional agents together in a single composition. For example, a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotids, peptide, or xenobiotic contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, can be administered in one composition, and at least one of the additional agents can be administered in a second composition. In a further embodiment, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic contained herein, or a salt or derivative thereof and the at least one additional active agent(s) are co-packaged in a kit. For example, a drug manufacturer, a drug reseller, a physician, a compounding shop, or a pharmacist can provide a kit comprising a disclosed compound or product and another component for delivery to a patient.

Some embodiments described herein relate to a pharmaceutical composition, which can include a therapeutically effective amount of one or more compounds described herein (e.g., a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof) and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, excipient or combination thereof. The pharmaceutical composition can include a small molecule biochemical or metabolite such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic described herein, or a salt or derivative thereof in, for example, >1%, ≥2%, ≥3%, ≥4%, ≥5%, ≥6%, ≥7%, ≥8%, ≥9%, ≥10%, ≥20%, ≥30%, ≥40%, ≥50%, ≥60%, ≥70%, ≥80%, ≥90%, ≥95%, or ≥98% of the composition. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition can include a plurality of small molecule biochemicals, such as one or more of an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, and/or xenobiotic described herein, or salts or derivatives thereof in, for example, >1%, ≥2%, ≥3%, ≥4%, ≥5%, ≥6%, ≥7%, >8%, ≥9%, ≥10%, ≥20%, ≥30%, ≥40%, ≥50%, ≥60%, ≥70%, ≥80%, ≥90%, ≥95%, or >98% of the composition.

Other Dosage Forms

The compositions for topical administration comprise a molecule of one or more of the embodiments and a dermatologically acceptable vehicle. The vehicle may be aqueous or nonaqueous. The dermatologically acceptable vehicle used in the topical composition may be in the form of a lotion, a gel, an ointment, a liquid, a cream, or an emulsion. If the vehicle is an emulsion, the emulsion may have a continuous aqueous phase and a discontinuous nonaqueous or oil phase (oil-in-water emulsion), or a continuous nonaqueous or oil phase and a discontinuous aqueous phase (water-in-oil emulsion). When administered topically in liquid or gel form, a liquid carrier such as water, petroleum, oils of animal or plant origin such as peanut oil, mineral oil, soybean oil, or sesame oil, or synthetic oils can be added to the active ingredient(s). Physiological saline solution, dextrose, or other saccharide solution, or glycols such as ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, or polyethylene glycol are also suitable liquid carriers. The pharmaceutical compositions can also be in the form of oil-in-water emulsions. The oily phase can be a vegetable oil, such as olive or arachis oil, a mineral oil such as liquid paraffin, or a mixture thereof. Suitable emulsifying agents include naturally-occurring gums such as gum acacia and gum tragacanth, naturally occurring phosphatides, such as soybean lecithin, esters or partial esters derived from fatty acids and hexitol anhydrides, such as sorbitan mono-oleate, and condensation products of these partial esters with ethylene oxide, such as polyoxyethylene sorbitan mono-oleate. The emulsions can also contain coloring and scenting agents.

In certain embodiments, a silicone elastomer (e.g., dimethicone crosspolymer) is employed to increase delivery and penetration of the molecule into the skin. The pharmaceutical excipients used in the topical preparations of the compositions may be selected from the group consisting of solvents, emollients and/or emulsifiers, oil bases, preservatives, antioxidants, tonicity adjusters, penetration enhancers and solubilizers, chelating agents, buffering agents, surfactants, one or more polymers, and combinations thereof.

Suitable solvents for an aqueous or hydrophilic topical formulation include water; ethyl alcohol; isopropyl alcohol; mixtures of water and ethyl and/or isopropyl alcohols; glycerin; ethylene, propylene or butylene glycols; DMSO; and mixtures thereof. Suitable solvents for hydrophobic topical formulations include mineral oils, vegetable oils, and silicone oils. If desired, the compositions as described herein may be dissolved or dispersed in a hydrophobic oil phase, and the oil phase may then be emulsified in an aqueous phase comprising water, alone or in combination with lower alcohols, glycerin, and/or glycols. Anhydrous formulations may also be employed; however, in certain embodiments it may be acceptable to provide water based compositions, or to permit a limited amount of water to be present.

Viscosity of the compositions can be maintained at the selected level using a pharmaceutically acceptable thickening agent. Suitable viscosity enhancers or thickeners which may be used to prepare a viscous gel or cream with an aqueous base include sodium polyacrylate, xanthan gum, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, acrylic acid polymer, carragenans, hydroxyethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, propyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, polyethoxylated polyacrylamides, polyethoxylated acrylates, and polyethoxylated alkane thiols. Methylcellulose is preferred because it is readily and economically available and is easy to work with. Other suitable thickening agents include, for example, xanthan gum, carboxymethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, carbomer, and the like. The preferred concentration of the thickener will depend upon the thickening agent selected. An amount is preferably used that will achieve the selected viscosity. Viscous compositions are normally prepared from solutions by the addition of such thickening agents, or by employing a base that has an acceptable level of viscosity.

Suitable emollients include hydrocarbon oils and waxes such as mineral oil, petrolatum, paraffin, ceresin, ozokerite, microcrystalline wax, polyethylene, squalene, perhydrosqualene, silicone oils, triglyceride esters, acetoglyceride esters, such as acetylated monoglycerides; ethoxylated glycerides, such as ethoxylated glyceryl monostearate; alkyl esters of fatty acids or dicarboxylic acids.

Suitable silicone oils for use as emollients include dimethyl polysiloxanes, methyl(phenyl) polysiloxanes, and water-soluble and alcohol-soluble silicone glycol copolymers. Suitable triglyceride esters for use as emollients include vegetable and animal fats and oils including castor oil, safflower oil, cotton seed oil, corn oil, olive oil, cod liver oil, almond oil, avocado oil, palm oil, sesame oil, and soybean oil.

Suitable esters of carboxylic acids or diacids for use as emollients include methyl, isopropyl, and butyl esters of fatty acids. Specific examples of alkyl esters including hexyl laurate, isohexyl laurate, iso-hexyl palmitate, isopropyl palmitate, decyl oleate, isodecyl oleate, hexadecyl stearate, decyl stearate, isopropyl isostearate, dilauryl lactate, myristyl lactate, and cetyl lactate; and alkenyl esters of fatty acids such as oleyl myristate, oleyl stearate, and oleyl oleate. Specific examples of alkyl esters of diacids include diisopropyl adipate, diisohexyl adipate, bis(hexyldecyl) adipate, and diisopropyl sebacate.

Other suitable classes of emollients or emulsifiers which may be used in the topical formulations include fatty acids, fatty alcohols, fatty alcohol ethers, ethoxylated fatty alcohols, fatty acid esters of ethoxylated fatty alcohols, and waxes.

Specific examples of fatty acids for use as emollients include pelargonic, lauric, myristic, palmitic, stearic, isostearic, hydroxystearic, oleic, linoleic, ricinoleic, arachidic, behenic, and erucic acids. Specific examples of fatty alcohols for use as emollients include lauryl, myristyl, cetyl, hexadecyl, stearyl, isostearyl, hydroxystearyl, oleyl, ricinoleyl, behenyl, and erucyl alcohols, as well as 2-octyl dodecanol.

Specific examples of waxes suitable for use as emollients include lanolin and derivatives thereof including lanolin oil, lanolin wax, lanolin alcohols, lanolin fatty acids, isopropyl lanolate, ethoxylated lanolin, ethoxylated lanolin alcohols, ethoxolated cholesterol, propoxylated lanolin alcohols, acetylated lanolin, acetylated lanolin alcohols, lanolin alcohols linoleate, lanolin alcohols recinoleate, acetate of lanolin alcohols recinoleate, acetate of lanolin alcohols recinoleate, acetate of ethoxylated alcohols esters, hydrogenolysates of lanolin, hydrogenated lanolin, ethoxylated hydrogenated lanolin, ethoxylated sorbitol lanolin, and liquid and semisolid lanolin. Also usable as waxes include hydrocarbon waxes, ester waxes, and amide waxes. Useful waxes include wax esters such as beeswax, spermaceti, myristyl myristate and stearyl stearate; beeswax derivatives, e.g., polyoxyethylene sorbitol beeswax; and vegetable waxes including carnauba and candelilla waxes.

Polyhydric alcohols and polyether derivatives may be used as solvents and/or surfactants in the topical formulations. Suitable polyhydric alcohols and polyethers include propylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, polypropylene glycols 2000 and 4000, poly(oxyethylene-co-oxypropylene) glycols, glycerol, sorbitol, ethoxylated sorbitol, hydroxypropylsorbitol, polyethylene glycols 200-6000, methoxy polyethylene glycols 350, 550, 750, 2000 and 5000, poly[ethylene oxide] homopolymers (100,000-5,000,000), polyalkylene glycols and derivatives, hexylene glycol, 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol, 1,3-butylene glycol, 1,2,6-hexanetriol, 2-ethyl-1,3-hexanediol, vicinal glycols having 15 to 18 carbon atoms, and polyoxypropylene derivatives of trimethylolpropane.

Polyhydric alcohol esters may be used as emulsifiers or emollients. Suitable polyhydric alcohol esters include ethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, diethylene glycol mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyethylene glycol (200-6000) mono- and di-fatty acid esters, propylene glycol mono- and di-fatty esters, polypropylene glycol 2000 monooleate, polypropylene glycol 2000 monostearate, ethoxylated propylene glycol monostearate, glyceryl mono- and di-fatty acid esters, polyglycerol poly-fatty acid esters, ethoxylated glyceryl monostearate, 1,3-butylene glycol monostearate, 1,3-butylene glycol distearate, polyoxyethylene polyol fatty acid ester, sorbitan fatty acid esters, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters.

Suitable emulsifiers for use in topical formulations include anionic, cationic, nonionic, and zwitterionic surfactants. Preferred ionic emulsifiers include phospholipids, such as lecithin and derivatives.

The molecule or a salt or derivative thereof, can be formulated as a liposome. The molecule can be a component of the lipid portion of the liposome or can be encapsulated in the aqueous portion of the liposome. The molecule or a salt or derivative thereof, can also be coformulated with a cyclodextrin. The cyclodextrin can be, for example, hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin or a sulfobutylether cyclodextrin. Lecithin and other phospholipids may be used to prepare liposomes containing active ingredients as described herein. Formation of lipid vesicles occurs when phospholipids such as lecithin are placed in water and consequently form one bilayer or a series of bilayers, each separated by water molecules, once enough energy is supplied. Liposomes can be created by sonicating phospholipids in water. Low shear rates create multilamellar liposomes. Continued high-shear sonication tends to form smaller unilamellar liposomes. Hydrophobic chemicals can be dissolved into the phospholipid bilayer membrane. The lipid bilayers of the liposomes deliver the compositions as described herein.

The topical formulations may contain micelles, or an aggregate of surfactant molecules dispersed in an aqueous solution. Micelles may be prepared by dispersing an oil solvent in an aqueous solution comprising a surfactant, where the surfactant concentration exceeds the critical micelle concentration. The resulting formulation contains micelles, i.e., spherical oil droplets surrounded by a membrane of polar surfactant molecules, dispersed in the aqueous solvent.

Sterols including, for example, cholesterol and cholesterol fatty acid esters; amides such as fatty acid amides, ethoxylated fatty acid amides, and fatty acid alkanolamides may also be used as emollients and/or penetration enhancers.

A pharmaceutically acceptable preservative can be employed to increase the shelf life of the composition. Other suitable preservatives and/or antioxidants for use in topical formulations include benzalkonium chloride, benzyl alcohol, phenol, urea, parabens, butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), tocopherol, thimerosal, chlorobutanol, or the like, and mixtures thereof, can be employed. If a preservative, such as an antioxidant, is employed, the concentration is typically from about 0.02% to about 2% based on the total weight of the composition, although larger or smaller amounts can be desirable depending upon the agent selected. Reducing agents, as described herein, can be advantageously used to maintain good shelf life of the formulation. It is generally observed that the anhydrous formulations of the embodiments exhibit satisfactory stability, such that a preservative can be omitted from the formulation.

Suitable chelating agents for use in topical formulations include ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid, alkali metal salts thereof alkaline earth metal salts thereof, ammonium salts thereof, and tetraalkyl ammonium salts thereof.

The carrier preferably has a pH of between about 4.0 and 10.0, more preferably between about 6.8 and about 7.8. The pH may be controlled using buffer solutions or other pH modifying agents. Suitable pH modifying agents include phosphoric acid and/or phosphate salts, citric acid and/or citrate salts, hydroxide salts (i.e., calcium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide) and amines, such as triethanolamine. Suitable buffer solutions include a buffer comprising a solution of monopotassium phosphate and dipotassium phosphate, maintaining a pH of between 5.8 and 8; and a buffer comprising a solution of monosodium phosphate and disodium phosphate, maintaining a pH of between 6 and 7.5. Other buffers include citric acid/sodium citrate, and dibasic sodium phosphate/citric acid. The compositions of the embodiments are preferably isotonic with the blood or other body fluid of the recipient. The isotonicity of the compositions can be attained using sodium tartrate, propylene glycol or other inorganic or organic solutes. Sodium chloride is particularly preferred. Buffering agents can be employed, such as acetic acid and salts, citric acid and salts, boric acid and salts, and phosphoric acid and salts. It can be desirable to include a reducing agent in the formulation, such as vitamin C, vitamin E, or other reducing agents as are known in the pharmaceutical arts.

Surfactants can also be employed as excipients, for example, anionic detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and dioctyl sodium sulfonate, cationic such as benzalkonium chloride or benzethonium chloride, or nonionic detergents such as polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil, glycerol monostearate, polysorbates, sucrose fatty acid ester, methyl cellulose, or carboxymethyl cellulose.

When the formulations of the embodiments are administered by subcutaneous injection, it is preferably in the form of a pyrogen-free, parenterally acceptable aqueous solution or oleaginous suspension, emulsion or solution. Suspensions can be formulated according to methods well known in the art using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The preparation of acceptable aqueous or nonaqueous solutions with suitable properties, e.g., pH, isotonicity, stability, and the like, is within the skill in the art. For example, an isotonic vehicle such as 1,3-butanediol, water, isotonic sodium chloride solution, Ringer's solution, dextrose solution, dextrose and sodium chloride solution, lactated Ringer's solution, or other vehicles as are known in the art can be employed, or a fixed oil can be employed conventionally as a solvent or suspending medium, e.g., synthetic mono or diglycerides, fatty acids, or the like. The formulations can also contain stabilizers, preservatives, buffers, antioxidants, or other additives known to those of skill in the art.

In certain embodiments, it can be advantageous to include additional agents having pharmacological activity. Anti-infective agents include, but are not limited to, anthelmintic (mebendazole), antibiotics including aminoglycosides (gentamicin, neomycin, tobramycin), antifungal antibiotics (amphotericin b, fluconazole, griseofulvin, itraconazole, ketoconazole, nystatin, micatin, tolnaftate), cephalosporins (cefaclor, cefazolin, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, ceftriaxone, cefuroxime, cephalexin), beta-lactam antibiotics (cefotetan, meropenem), chloramphenicol, macrolides (azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin), penicillins (penicillin G sodium salt, amoxicillin, ampicillin, dicloxacillin, nafcillin, piperacillin, ticarcillin), tetracyclines (doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline), bacitracin, clindamycin, colistimethate sodium, polymyxin b sulfate, vancomycin, antivirals including acyclovir, amantadine, didanosine, efavirenz, foscarnet, ganciclovir, indinavir, lamivudine, nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir, stavudine, valacyclovir, valganciclovir, zidovudine, quinolones (ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin), sulfonamides (sulfadiazine, sulfisoxazole), sulfones (dapsone), furazolidone, metronidazole, pentamidine, sulfanilamidum crystallinum, gatifloxacin, and sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim. Anesthetics can include, but are not limited to, ethanol, bupivacaine, chloroprocaine, levobupivacaine, lidocaine, mepivacaine, procaine, ropivacaine, tetracaine, desflurane, isoflurane, ketamine, propofol, sevoflurane, codeine, fentanyl, hydromorphone, marcaine, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, remifentanil, sufentanil, butorphanol, nalbuphine, tramadol, benzocaine, dibucaine, ethyl chloride, xylocaine, and phenazopyridine. Anti-inflammatory agents include but are not limited to, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, celecoxib, choline magnesium trisalicylate, diclofenac potassium, diclofenac sodium, diflunisal, etodolac, fenoprofen, flurbiprofen, ibuprofen, indomethacin, ketoprofen, ketorolac, melenamic acid, nabumetone, naproxen, naproxen sodium, oxaprozin, piroxicam, rofecoxib, salsalate, sulindac, and tolmetin; and corticosteroids such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisone, prednisolone, betamethesone, beclomethasone dipropionate, budesonide, dexamethasone sodium phosphate, flunisolide, fluticasone propionate, triamcinolone acetonide, betamethasone, fluocinonide, betamethasone dipropionate, betamethasone valerate, desonide, desoximetasone, fluocinolone, triamcinolone, clobetasol propionate, and dexamethasone.

In certain embodiments, the addition of emollients, emulsion stabilizers, moisturizers, excipients, and other compounds may be modified to enhance the sensory properties of the topical compositions, including but not limited to: skin feel (silkiness, lightness, creaminess, etc.), absorbency (required time at which product loses wet feel and is no longer perceived on skin), consistency, firmness, spreadability (e.g. viscosity, flow onset, shear rates), stickiness, integrity of shape, glossiness, hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity, and others.

In certain embodiments systemic administration of a molecule of the embodiments or a salt or derivative thereof, can be desirable. In such embodiments, the molecule is formulated into a composition suitable for oral administration, but other routes of administration are also contemplated.

The compositions described herein can be administered by themselves to a subject, or in compositions where they are mixed with other active agents, as in combination therapy, or with carriers, diluents, excipients or combinations thereof. Formulation is dependent upon the route of administration chosen. Techniques for formulation and administration of the compounds described herein are known to those skilled in the art (see, e.g., “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 20th edition (Jun. 1, 2003) and “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Pub. Co.; 18th and 19th editions (December 1985, and June 1990, respectively).

The compositions disclosed herein may be manufactured into administrable forms by a process that is itself known, e.g., by means of conventional mixing, dissolving, granulating, dragee-making, levigating, emulsifying, encapsulating, entrapping, tableting, or extracting processes. Many of the compounds used in the pharmaceutical combinations disclosed herein may be provided as salts with pharmaceutically acceptable counterions.

Multiple techniques of administering a molecule of the embodiments exist in the art including, but not limited to, oral, rectal, topical, aerosol, injection and parenteral delivery, including intramuscular, subcutaneous, intravenous, intramedullary injections, intrathecal, direct intraventricular, intraperitoneal, intranasal and intraocular injections. Contemplated herein is any combination of the forgoing, or other methods as would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art (see, e.g., “Remington: The Science and Practice of Pharmacy”, Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 20th edition (Jun. 1, 2003) and “Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences,” Mack Pub. Co.; 18th and 19th editions (December 1985, and June 1990, respectively).

In practice, the molecule may be combined as the active ingredient in intimate admixture with a pharmaceutical carrier according to conventional pharmaceutical compounding techniques. The molecule can be added directly to, e.g., a gelatin capsule or a softgel capsule for consumption by the patient. In other embodiments, carriers can be employed. The carrier can take a wide variety of forms depending on the form of preparation desired for administration. Thus, the compositions provided herein can be presented as discrete units suitable for oral administration such as capsules, cachets or tablets each containing a predetermined amount of the active ingredient. Further, the compositions can be presented as an oil, a powder, as granules, as a solution, as a suspension in an aqueous liquid, as a non-aqueous liquid, as an oil-in-water emulsion, or as a water-in-oil liquid emulsion, similar to the topical formulations described elsewhere herein, but using components suitable for human consumption. In addition to the common dosage forms set out above, the compositions provided herein can also be administered by controlled release and/or delivery devices. The compositions can be prepared by any of the methods of pharmacy. In general, such methods include a step of bringing into association the active ingredient with the carrier that constitutes one or more necessary ingredients. In general, the compositions are prepared by uniformly and intimately admixing the active ingredients with liquid carriers or finely divided solid carriers or both. The product can then be conveniently shaped into the desired presentation.

A formulation may also be administered in a local rather than systemic manner, for example, via injection of the composition directly into a target area, e.g., in a depot or sustained release formulation. Furthermore, a targeted drug delivery system for the composition may be used, for example, in a liposome coated with a tissue specific antibody.

The compositions may contain the molecule of the embodiments in an amount effective for the desired therapeutic effect. In some embodiments, the compositions are in a unit dosage form and comprise from about 0.1 mg or less to about 5000 mg or more of the molecule per unit dosage form. In further embodiments, the compositions comprise from about 1 to about 500 mg per unit dosage form or from about 500 to 5000 mg per unit dosage form of the molecule. Such dosage forms may be solid, semisolid, liquid, an emulsion, or adapted for delivery via aerosol or the like for inhalation administration.

The carrier employed can be, for example, a solid, liquid, or gas. Examples of solid carriers include lactose, terra alba, sucrose, talc, gelatin, agar, pectin, acacia, magnesium stearate, and stearic acid. Examples of liquid carriers are sugar syrup, peanut oil, olive oil, lower alcohols, and water. Examples of gaseous carriers include carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

The compositions provided herein can be prepared as solutions or suspensions of the molecule of the embodiments in water or nonaqueous liquids. A suitable surfactant can be included such as, for example, hydroxypropylcellulose. Dispersions can also be prepared in glycerol, liquid polyethylene glycols, and mixtures thereof in oils. Further, a preservative can be included to, for example, prevent the detrimental growth of microorganisms.

Compositions provided herein suitable for injectable use include sterile aqueous solutions or dispersions. Furthermore, the compositions can be in the form of sterile powders for the extemporaneous preparation of such sterile injectable solutions or dispersions. The compositions must be stable under the conditions of manufacture and storage; thus, preferably should be preserved against the contaminating action of microorganisms such as bacteria and fungi. The carrier can be a solvent or dispersion medium containing, for example, water, ethanol, polyol (e.g., glycerol, propylene glycol and liquid polyethylene glycol), vegetable oils, and suitable mixtures thereof.

In addition to the aforementioned carrier ingredients, the formulations described above can include, as appropriate, one or more additional carrier ingredients such as diluents, buffers, flavoring agents, binders, surface-active agents, thickeners, lubricants, preservatives (including anti-oxidants) and the like. Furthermore, other adjuvants can be included to render the formulation isotonic with the blood or other bodily fluids of the intended recipient. Compositions containing a compound provided herein, or pharmaceutically acceptable salt or derivative thereof, can also be prepared in powder or liquid concentrate form for dilution.

Contemplated herein are compositions including the molecule of the embodiments in combination with at least one additional active agent. The molecule of the embodiments and the at least one additional active agent(s) may be present in a single formulation or in multiple formulations provided together, or may be unformulated. In some embodiments, the molecule of the embodiments can be administered with one or more additional agents together in a single composition. For example, the molecule of the embodiments can be administered in one composition, and at least one of the additional agents can be administered in a second composition. In a further embodiment, the molecule of the embodiments and the at least one additional active agent(s) are co-packaged in a kit. For example, a drug manufacturer, a drug reseller, a physician, a compounding shop, or a pharmacist can provide a kit comprising the molecule of the embodiments in combination with another product or component for delivery to a patient. Such additional components can include anti-infective agents, anti-inflammatory agents, anesthetics, or the like.

Some embodiments described herein relate to oral compositions of molecule of the embodiments, which can include a therapeutically effective amount of the molecule of the embodiments described herein and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, diluent, excipient or combination thereof. The compositions can include the molecule of the embodiments in an amount for example, >1%, ≥2%, ≥3%, ≥4%, ≥5%, ≥6%, ≥7%, ≥8%, ≥9%, ≥10%, ≥20%, ≥30%, ≥40%, ≥50%, ≥60%, ≥70%, ≥80%, ≥90%, ≥95%, or ≥98% of the composition. In some embodiments, the pharmaceutical composition can include a plurality of small molecule biochemicals or metabolites, such as one or more of an amino acid, peptide, carbohydrate, cofactor, vitamins, xenobiotic, and/or lipid described herein, or salts or derivatives thereof in, for example, >1%, ≥2%, ≥3%, ≥4%, ≥5%, ≥6%, ≥7%, ≥8%, ≥9%, ≥10%, ≥20%, ≥30%, ≥40%, ≥50%, ≥60%, ≥70%, ≥80%, ≥90%, ≥95%, or ≥98% of the composition.

Foodstuffs

Foodstuffs and other comestibles (for humans or other animals, including domestic animals and livestock) including a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic described herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, are provided, wherein an amount of the small molecule biochemical or metabolite in the foodstuff has been fortified (e.g., enriched or concentrated). A small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic, provided herein may be added to foodstuffs for consumption by a subject. The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic described herein, may be integrated into one or more ingredients of a foodstuff. The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic described herein, may be prepared as an ingredient, or may be unprepared. The compound, or preparation including the compound, may be added prior to preparation, during preparation, or following preparation. Preparation may without limitation include cooking, mixing, flavoring, seasoning, blending, boiling, frying, baking, or other processes known in the art. Fortification is preferably at a level so as to provide a therapeutic daily dosage of the small molecule biochemical or metabolite as described elsewhere herein; however, beneficial effects may also be obtained at amounts below such dosages. Other forms for the small molecule biochemical include nutritional supplements and pharmaceutical compositions in a unit dosage form.

A small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic, or salt or derivative thereof, as provided herein may be present as a constituency in foodstuffs by operation of processes known in nature, for example, by altering the metabolic processes of a plant, animal, bacteria, or fungus. Genetic alteration of a plant, animal, bacteria, or fungus to increase the concentration of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotide, peptide, or xenobiotic as described herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, is contemplated. By way of example, the small molecule biochemical or metabolite can be present in the foodstuff in a concentration of at least about 1%, at least about 2%, at least about 3%, at least about 4%, at least about 5%, at least about 6%, at least about 7%, at least about 8%, at least about 9%, at least about 10%, at least about 20%, at least about 30%, at least about 40%, at least about 50%, or higher, for example, 1% to 2% or 3% or 4% or 5% or 6% or 7% or 8% or 9% or 10% or 20% or 30% or 40% or 50%. The small molecule biochemical or metabolite, if naturally present in a foodstuff, can be present in an enriched amount above that which is naturally occurring for the foodstuff, e.g., a concentration of 10% or more above the average or highest naturally occurring observed concentration, e.g., 20% or 30% or 40% or 50% or 100% or 200% or 300% or 400% or 1000% or 2000% or 5000% or more above the average or highest naturally occurring observed concentration.

Indications

Provided are compositions and methods for treating neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions, including but not limited to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, spinal muscular atrophy, peripheral and central inflammation (including but not limited to inflammation of aging, neuroinflammation obesity-associated inflammation, chronic low-lying inflammation, and autoimmune disorders (such as, for example Crohn disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and ulcerative colitis), conditions with hyperglycemia (including diabetes type II, obesity, pre-diabetes, glucose intolerance, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), impaired fasting glycemia (IFG), impaired adiponectin production, postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hypoinsulinemia, fatty liver disease, elevated glucose levels, elevated insulin levels, elevated LDL-cholesterol levels, elevated triglyceride levels, low HDL-cholesterol levels, and dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS)), and conditions with iron overload and/or hyperferritinemia (including but not limited to infection, neoplasm, chronic or acute inflammation, autoimmune diseases, DIOS and other iron overload and iron storage disorders, Still's disease, idiopathic arthritis, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, macrophage activation syndrome, liver conditions including NAFLD NASH, and hepatocellular carcinoma, anemia of chronic inflammation).

Neurodegenerative disease refers to a chronic, progressive condition that affects neurons in the brain and results in impaired movement, function, cognition, memory and/or behavior. Inflammation, amyloid-β proteins, accumulated iron, and/or hyperglycemia contribute to the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases due to direct and indirect damage to neurons.

In some embodiments, the compositions and methods provided herein are indicated for treatment, prophylaxis, prevention or maintenance of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy, and associated conditions, including peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia.

In some embodiments, the methods provided herein increase levels of serum, plasma, or erythrocyte membrane odd chain small molecule biochemicals.

In some embodiments, the condition treated is chronic systemic or central nervous system inflammation.

In some embodiments, the condition treated hyperglycemia.

In some embodiments, the compositions and methods provided herein modulate a marker of neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions. In certain embodiments, the marker is serum, plasma, or red blood cell membrane small molecule biochemical or metabolite percentage; serum, plasma, or red blood cell membrane concentration of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite; or serum plasma, or red blood cell membrane total small molecule biochemical or metabolite contained herein.

In some embodiments, the methods provided herein include the step of measuring the concentration of a marker of inflammation. One of skill in the art will be able to perform suitable methods for such measurements, including but not limited to those described herein.

Provided herein are methods for treating including the step of administering a dose of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite provided herein, at a predetermined interval, or at an interval left to the discretion of the subject.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide a threshold serum, plasma, or red blood cell membrane percentage of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite relative to all serum, plasma, or red blood cell membrane small molecule biochemicals, respectively. For example, the threshold value may be a value of about 0.05% or lower to 90% or higher, e.g., a value of at least about 0.05%, at least about 0.1%, at least about 0.2%, at least about 0.3%, at least about 0.4%, at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.6%, at least about 0.7%, at least about 0.8%, at least about 0.9%, at least about 1.0%, at least about 1.1%, at least about 1.2%, at least about 1.3%, at least about 1.4%, at least about 1.5%, at least about 1.6%, at least about 1.7%, at least about 1.8%, at least about 1.9%, at least about 2.1%, at least about 2.2%, at least about 2.3%, at least about 2.4%, at least about 2.5%, at least about 2.6%, at least about 2.7%, at least about 2.8%, at least about 2.9%, at least about 3.0%, at least about 3.5%, at least about 4.0%, at least about 4.5%, at least about 5%, at least about 6%, at least about 7%, at least about 8%, at least about 9%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or more than 90%.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide an increase above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) in a serum or plasma concentration of a small molecule biochemical, or red blood cell membrane concentration of a small molecule biochemical. For example, a serum or plasma small molecule biochemical or red blood cell membrane concentration of an small molecule biochemical may be increased by at least about 1 μg/ml, at least about 2 μg/ml, at least about 3 μg/ml, at least about 4 μg/ml, at least about 5 μg/ml, at least about 6 μg/ml, at least about 7 μg/ml, at least about 8 μg/ml, at least about 9 μg/ml, at least about 10 μg/ml, at least about 15 μg/ml, at least about 20 μg/ml, at least about 25 μg/ml, at least about 30 μg/ml, at least about 35 μg/ml, at least about 40 μg/ml, at least about 45 μg/ml, at least about 50 μg/ml, or more than 50 μg/ml. In some embodiments, the serum concentration of an odd chain small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or red blood cell membrane concentration of an small molecule biochemical or metabolite may increase above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) by at least about 0.01×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.05×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.1×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.2×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.3×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.4×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.5×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.6×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.7×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.8×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.9×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 1×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 2×10⁻⁴ M, or at least about 3×10⁻⁴ M.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide an increase in serum or plasma total small molecule biochemicals, or red blood cell membrane total small molecule biochemicals. For example, serum total small molecule biochemicals, or red blood cell membrane total small molecule biochemicals, may be increased above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) by at least about 5 μg/ml, at least about 6 μg/ml, at least about 7 μg/ml, at least about 8 μg/ml, at least about 9 μg/ml, at least about 10 μg/ml, at least about 15 μg/ml, at least about 20 μg/ml, at least about 25 μg/ml, at least about 30 μg/ml, at least about 35 μg/ml, at least about 40 μml, at least about 45 μg/ml, at least about 50 μml, at least about 60 μml, at least about 70 μml, at least about 80 μml, at least about 90 μml, at least about 100 μg/ml, at least about 150 μg/ml, at least about 200 μg/ml, at least about 250 μg/ml, at least about 300 μg/ml, at least about 350 μg/ml, at least about 400 μg/ml, at least about 450 μg/ml, at least about 500 μg/ml, or more than 500 μg/ml.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide an increase above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) in a serum, plasma, or red blood cell membrane small molecule biochemicals relative to all serum or red blood cell membrane small molecule biochemicals, respectively. For example, a serum, plasma, or red blood cell membrane small molecule biochemical or metabolite may be increased above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) by at least about 0.01%, at least about 0.05%, at least about 0.1%, at least about 0.2%, at least about 0.3%, at least about 0.4%, at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.6%, at least about 0.7%, at least about 0.8%, at least about 0.9%, at least about 1%, at least about 1.1%, at least about 1.2%, at least about 1.3%, at least about 1.4%, at least about 1.5%, at least about 1.6%, at least about 1.7%, at least about 1.8%, at least about 1.9%, at least about 2%, at least about 2.1%, at least about 2.2%, at least about 2.3%, at least about 2.4%, at least about 2.5%, at least about 2.6%, at least about 2.7%, at least about 2.8%, at least about 2.9%, at least about 3%, at least about 3.5%, at least about 4%, at least about 4.5%, at least about 5%, or more than 5%.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide a reduction in elevated neutrophils or proinflammatory cytokines.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide a reduction in glucose.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide a reduction in serum ferritin. For example, serum ferritin may be reduced below a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) by at least about 10 ng/ml, at least about 100 ng/ml, at least about 200 ng/ml, at least about 300 ng/ml, at least about 400 ng/ml, at least about 500 ng/ml, at least about 600 ng/ml, at least about 700 ng/ml, at least about 800 ng/ml, at least about 900 ng/ml, at least about 1000 ng/ml, at least about 1100 ng/ml, at least about 1200 ng/ml, at least about 1300 ng/ml, at least about 1400 ng/ml, at least about 1500 ng/ml, at least about 2000 ng/ml, at least about 2500 ng/ml, at least about 3000 ng/ml, at least about 3500 ng/ml, at least about 4000 ng/ml, at least about 4500 ng/ml, at least about 5000 ng/ml, at least about 6000 ng/ml, at least about 7000 ng/ml, at least about 8000 ng/ml, at least about 9000 ng/ml, at least about 10000 ng/ml, or more than 10000 ng/ml.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide a reduction in serum ferritin below a specified level. For example, serum ferritin may be reduced below about 20000 ng/ml, about 15000 ng/ml, about 12000 ng/ml, about 10000 ng/ml, about 8000 ng/ml, about 5000 ng/ml, about 2000 ng/ml, about 1000 ng/ml, or about 500 ng

In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite is administered to maintain serum or plasma total percent of the small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or all small molecule biochemicals, above a predetermined threshold value. In variations of these embodiments, the small molecule biochemicals is administered to maintain serum phospholipid percent of the small molecule biochemicals, or all small molecule biochemicals, above about 0.1%, about 0.2%, about 0.3%, about 0.4%, about 0.5%, about 0.6%, about 0.7%, about 0.8%, about 0.9%, about 1%, about 1.2%, about 1.4%, about 1.6%, about 1.8%, about 2%, about 2.2%, about 2.4%, or about 2.6%.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide a threshold serum, plasma, or red blood cell membrane percentage of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite relative to all serum or red blood cell membrane small molecule biochemicals, respectively. For example, the threshold value may be a value of about 0.05% or lower to 90% or higher, e.g., a value of at least about 0.05%, at least about 0.1%, at least about 0.2%, at least about 0.3%, at least about 0.4%, at least about 0.5%, at least about 0.6%, at least about 0.7%, at least about 0.8%, at least about 0.9%, at least about 1.0%, at least about 1.1%, at least about 1.2%, at least about 1.3%, at least about 1.4%, at least about 1.5%, at least about 1.6%, at least about 1.7%, at least about 1.8%, at least about 1.9%, at least about 2.1%, at least about 2.2%, at least about 2.3%, at least about 2.4%, at least about 2.5%, at least about 2.6%, at least about 2.7%, at least about 2.8%, at least about 2.9%, at least about 3.0%, at least about 3.5%, at least about 4.0%, at least about 4.5%, at least about 5%, at least about 6%, at least about 7%, at least about 8%, at least about 9%, at least about 10%, at least about 15%, at least about 20%, at least about 25%, at least about 30%, at least about 35%, at least about 40%, at least about 45%, at least about 50%, at least about 60%, at least about 70%, at least about 80%, at least about 90%, or more than 90%.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide an increase above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) in a serum or plasma concentration of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or red blood cell membrane concentration of a small molecule metabolite. For example, a serum small molecule biochemical or metabolite or red blood cell membrane concentration of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite may be increased by at least about 0.01 μg/ml, at least about 0.05 μg/ml, at least about 0.1 μg/ml, at least about 0.4 μg/ml, 1 μg/ml, at least about 2 μg/ml, at least about 3 μg/ml, at least about 4 μg/ml, at least about 5 μg/ml, at least about 6 μg/ml, at least about 7 μg/ml, at least about 8 μg/ml, at least about 9 μg/ml, at least about 10 μg/ml, at least about 15 μg/ml, at least about 20 μg/ml, at least about 25 μg/ml, at least about 30 μg/ml, at least about 35 μg/ml, at least about 40 μg/ml, at least about 45 μg/ml, at least about 50 μg/ml, or more than 50 μg/ml. In some embodiments, the serum concentration of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or red blood cell membrane concentration of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite may increase above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) by at least about 0.001×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.005×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.05×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.01×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.05×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.1×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.2×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.3×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.4×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.5×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.6×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.7×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.8×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 0.9×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 1×10⁻⁴ M, at least about 2×10⁻⁴ M, or at least about 3×10⁻⁴ M.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may provide an increase in serum or plasma total small molecule biochemicals, or red blood cell membrane total small molecule biochemicals. For example, serum total molecule biochemicals, or red blood cell membrane total small molecule biochemicals, may be increased above a baseline value (e.g., pretreatment value in a patient being treated, or general value observed in a particular patient population) by at least about 0.05 μg/ml, at least about 0.1 μg/ml, at least about 0.5 μg/ml, at least about 1 μg/ml, at least about 5 μg/ml, at least about 6 μg/ml, at least about 7 μg/ml, at least about 8 μg/ml, at least about 9 μg/ml, at least about 10 μg/ml, at least about 15 μg/ml, at least about 20 μg/ml, at least about 25 μg/ml, at least about 30 μg/ml, at least about 35 μg/ml, at least about 40 μg/ml, at least about 45 μg/ml, at least about 50 μg/ml, at least about 60 μg/ml, at least about 70 μg/ml, at least about 80 μg/ml, at least about 90 μg/ml, at least about 100 μg/ml, at least about 150 μg/ml, at least about 200 μg/ml, at least about 250 μg/ml, at least about 300 μg/ml, at least about 350 μg/ml, at least about 400 μg/ml, at least about 450 μg/ml, at least about 500 μg/ml, or more than 500 μg/ml.

Combination Therapies

In some embodiments, the compounds disclosed herein, such as a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof, or a pharmaceutical composition that includes a compound described herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, may be used in combination with one or more additional active agents. Examples of additional active agents that can be used in combination with a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof, or a composition that includes a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof, include, but are not limited to, agents currently used for treating conditions provided herein, and as otherwise known to medical science.

In some embodiments, a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof, or a composition that includes a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof, can be used with one, two, three or more additional active agents described herein. Such agents include, but are not limited to, a second small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof.

In some embodiments, a compound of an small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof, or a composition that includes a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite described herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, can be used (for example, administered or ingested) in combination with another agent or agents for treatment, prevention, maintenance, or prophylaxis of a condition provided herein including neurodegenerative diseases and associated conditions, including peripheral or central inflammation, amyloid-β plaques, neuronal iron deposition, or hyperglycemia, or for modulation of markers of the condition. In some embodiments, the condition can be Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, spinal muscular atrophy, peripheral and central inflammation (including but not limited to inflammation of aging, neuroinflammation obesity-associated inflammation, chronic low-lying inflammation, and autoimmune disorders (such as, for example Crohn disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, type 1 diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and ulcerative colitis), conditions with hyperglycemia (including diabetes type II, obesity, pre-diabetes, glucose intolerance, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), impaired fasting glycemia (IFG), impaired adiponectin production, postprandial hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), hypoinsulinemia, fatty liver disease, elevated glucose levels, elevated insulin levels, elevated LDL-cholesterol levels, elevated triglyceride levels, low HDL-cholesterol levels, and dysmetabolic iron overload syndrome (DIOS)), and conditions with iron overload and/or hyperferritinemia (including but not limited to infection, neoplasm, chronic or acute inflammation, autoimmune diseases, DIOS and other iron overload and iron storage disorders, Still's disease, idiopathic arthritis, hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis, macrophage activation syndrome, liver conditions including NAFLD NASH, and hepatocellular carcinoma, anemia of chronic inflammation). For example, a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as a small molecule biochemical or metabolite disclosed herein, can be used in combination with one or more agents selected from iron chelators, albiglutide, aleglitazar, balaglitazone, canagliflozin, CJ-30001 (CJ Cheiljedang Corporation), CJ-30002 (CJ Cheiljedang Corporation), Diamyd® (glutamic acid decarboxylase (rhGAD65)), dulaglutide, exendin 4, gemigliptin, lixisenatide, lobeglitazone, shengke I (Tibet Pharmaceuticals), SK-0403 (Sanwa Kagaku Kenkyusho), teneligliptin, teplizumab, tofogliflozin, acarbose, alogliptin benzoate, chlorpropamide, Diab II (Biotech Holdings), exenatide, glibenclamide, gliclazide, glimepiride, glipizide, gliquidone, glisentide, glisolamide, HL-002 (HanAll Biopharma), insulin (human), insulin, insulin analogue (Eli Lilly®), insulin aspart, insulin detemir, insulin glargine, insulin lispro, Janumet®, linagliptin, liraglutide, metformin, miglitol, mitiglinide, nateglinide, Novo Mix 30® (Novo Nordisk®) pioglitazone, pramlintide, repaglinide, rosiglitazone maleate, saxagliptin, sitagliptin, Tresiba, tolazamide, tolbutamide, vildagliptin, voglibose, bezafibrate, diflunisal, cinnamic acid, carbutamide, glyburide (glibenclamide), glibomuride, glyhexamide, phenbutamide, and tolcyclamide or with one or more agents selected from a class of agents, where the classes include sulfonylureas, non-sulfonylurea secretagogues, glucagon-like peptides, exendin-4 polypeptides, beta 3 adrenoceptor agonists, PPAR agonists, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors, biguanides, alpha-glucosidase inhibitors, immunomodulators, statins and statin-containing combinations, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors, adeno sine A1 receptor agonists, adenosine A2 receptor agonists, aldosterone antagonists, alpha 1 adrenoceptor antagonists, alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists, alpha 2 adrenoceptor agonists, angiotensin receptor antagonists, antioxidants, ATPase inhibitors, atrial peptide agonists, beta adrenoceptor antagonists, calcium channel agonists, calcium channel antagonists, diguanides, diuretics, dopamine D1 receptor agonists, endopeptidase inhibitors, endothelin receptor antagonists, guanylate cyclase stimulants, phosphodiderivativease V inhibitors, protein kinase inhibitors, Cdc2 kinase inhibitors, renin inhibitors, thromboxane synthase inhibitors, vasopeptidase inhibitors, vasopressin I antagonists, vasopressin 2 antagonists, angiogenesis inhibitors, advanced glycation end product inhibitors, bile acid binding agents, bile acid transport inhibitors, bone formation stimulants, apolipoprotein Al agonists, DNA topoisomerase inhibitors, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, cholesterol antagonists, cholderivativeyl derivative transfer protein antagonists, cytokine synthesis inhibitors, DNA polymerase inhibitors, dopamine D2 receptor agonists, endothelin receptor antagonists, growth hormone antagonists, insulin sensitizers, lipase inhibitors, lipid peroxidation inhibitors, lipoprotein A antagonists, microsomal transport protein inhibitors, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein inhibitors, nitric oxide synthase inhibitors, oxidizing agents, phospholipase A2 inhibitors, radical formation agonists, platelet aggregation antagonists, prostaglandin synthase stimulants, reverse cholesterol transport activators, rho kinase inhibitors, selective estrogen receptor modulators, squalene epoxidase inhibitors, squalene synthase inhibitors, thromboxane A2 antagonists, amylin agonists, cannabinoid receptor antagonists, cholecystokinin A agonists, corticotropin-releasing factor agonists, dopamine uptake inhibitors, G protein-coupled receptor modulators, glutamate antagonists, glucagon-like peptide-1 agonists lipase inhibitors, melanin-concentrating hormone receptor antagonists, nerve growth factor agonists, neuropeptide Y agonists, neuropeptide Y antagonists, SNRIs, protein tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors, serotonin 2C receptor agonists, or with other agents such as central nervous system agents that affect neurotransmitters or neural ion channels, including antidepressants (bupropion), noradrenalin reuptake inhibitors (GW320659), selective serotonin 2c receptor agonists, selective 5HT 2c receptor agonists, antiseizure agents (topiramate, zonisamide), dopamine antagonists, cannabinoid-1 receptor antagonists (CB-1 receptor antagonists) (rimonabant); leptin/insulin/central nervous system pathway agents, including leptin analogues, leptin transport and/or leptin receptor promoters, ciliary neurotrophic factor (Axokine), neuropeptide Y and agouti-related peptide antagonists, pro-opiomelanocortin and cocaine and amphetamine regulated transcript promoters, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone analogues, melanocoritin-4 receptor agonists, and agents that affect insulin metabolism/activity, which include protein-tyrosine phosphatase-IB inhibitors, peroxisome proliferator activated receptor-.gamma. receptor antagonists, short-acting bromocriptine (ergoset), somatostatin agonists (octreotide), and adiponectin/Acrp30 (Famoxin or small molecule metabolite Metabolic Oxidation Inducer); gastrointestinal-neural pathway agents, including those that increase cholecystokinin activity (CCK), PYY activity, NPY activity, and PP activity, increase glucagon-like peptide-1 activity (exendin 4, dipeptidyl peptidase IV inhibitors), and those that decrease ghrelin activity, as well as amylin analogues (pramlintide); agents that may increase resting metabolic rate (selective (3-3 stimulators/agonist, uncoupling protein homologues, and thyroid receptor agonists); other more diverse agents, including melanin concentrating hormone antagonists, phytostanol analogues, functional oils, P57, amylase inhibitors, growth hormone fragments, synthetic analogues of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, antagonists of adipocyte 11B-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 activity, corticotropin-releasing hormone agonists, inhibitors of small molecule metabolite synthesis (cerulenin and C75), carboxypeptidase inhibitors, indanone/indanols, aminosterols (trodusquemine/trodulamine), and other gastrointestinal lipase inhibitors (ATL962); amphetamines, such as dextroamphetamine; other sympathomimetic adrenergic agents, including phentermine, benzphetamine, phendimetrazine, mazindol, and diethylpropion; or with one or more agents selected from ecopipam; oxyntomodulin (OM); inhibitors of glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP); gastrin-releasing peptide; neuromedin B; enterostatin; amfebutamone, SR-58611; CP-045598; AOD-0604; QC-BT16; rGLP-1; 1426 (HMR-1426); N-5984; ISIS-1 13715; solabegron; SR-147778; Org-34517; melanotan-II; cetilistat; c-2735; c-5093; c-2624; APD-356; radafaxine; fluasterone; GP-389255; 856464; S-2367; AVE-1625; T-71; oleoyl-estrone; peptide YY [3-36] intranasal; androgen receptor agonists; PYY 3-36; DOV-102677; tagatose; SLV-319; 1954 (Aventis Pharma AG); oxyntomodulin, Thiakis; bromocriptine, PLIVA; diabetes/hyperlipidemia therapy, Yissum; CKD-502; thyroid receptor beta agonists; beta-3 adrenoceptor agonist; CDK-A agonists; galanin antagonist; dopamine D1 D2 agonists; melanocortin modulators; verongamine; neuropeptide Y antagonists; melanin-concentrating hormone receptor antagonists; dual PPAR alpha/gamma agonists; CGEN-P-4; kinase inhibitors; human MCH receptor antagonists; GHS-R antagonists; ghrelin receptor agonists; DG70 inhibitors; cotinine; CRF-BP inhibitors; urocortin agonists; UCL-2000; impentamine; β-3 adrenergic receptor; pentapeptide MC4 agonists; trodusquemine; GT-2016; C-75; CPOP; MCH-1 receptor antagonists; RED-103004; aminosterols; orexin-1 antagonists; neuropeptide Y5 receptor antagonists; DRF-4158; PT-15; PTPase inhibitors; A37215; SA-0204; glycolipid metabolites; MC-4 agonist; produlestan; PTP-1B inhibitors; GT-2394; neuropeptide Y5 antagonists; melanocortin receptor modulators; MLN-4760; PPAR gamma/delta dual agonists; NPYSRA-972; 5-HT2C receptor agonist; neuropeptide Y5 receptor antagonists (phenyl urea analogs); AGRP/MC4 antagonists; neuropeptide Y5 antagonists (benzimidazole); glucocorticoid antagonists; MCHR1 antagonists; Acetyl-CoA carboxylase inhibitors; R-1496; HOB 1 modulators; NOX-B11; peptide YY 3-36 (eligen); 5-HT 1 modulators; pancreatic lipase inhibitors; GRC-1087; CB-1 antagonists; MCH-1 antagonists; LY-448100; bombesin BRS3 agonists; ghrelin antagonists; MC4 antagonists; stearoyl-CoA desaturase modulators; PPAR pan agonists; EP-01492; hormone-sensitive lipase inhibitors; small molecule metabolite-binding protein 4 inhibitors; thiolactone derivatives; protein tyrosine phosphatase IB inhibitors; MCH-1 antagonist; P-64; PPAR gamma ligands; melanin concentrating hormone antagonists; thiazole gastroprokinetics; PA-452; T-226296; A-331440; immunodrug vaccines; diabetes/obesity therapeutics (Bioagency, Biofrontera Discovery GmbH); P-7 (Genfit); DT-011 M; PTP1B inhibitor; anti-diabetic peptide conjugates; KATP agonists; obesity therapeutics (Lexicon); 5-HT2 agonists; MCH-1 receptor antagonists; GMAD-1/GMAD-2; STG-a-MD; angiogenesis inhibitors; G protein-coupled receptor agonists; nicotinic therapeutics (ChemGenex); anti-obesity agents (Abbott); melanin concentrating hormone; GW-594884A; MC-4R agonist; histamine H3 antagonists; orphan GPCR modulators; MITO-3108; NLC-002; HE-2300; IGF/BBP-2-13; 5-HT2C agonists; ML-22952; neuropeptide Y receptor antagonists; AZ-40140; anti-obesity therapy (Nisshin Flour); GNTI; melanocortin receptor modulators; alpha-amylase inhibitors; beta-3 adrenoceptor agonists; ob gene products (Eli Lilly & Co.); SWR-0342-SA; SWR-0335; SP-18904; oral insulin mimetics; obesity therapeutics (7TM Pharma); beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) inhibitors; QRX-431; E-6776; RI-450; melanocortin-4 antagonists; melanocortin 4 receptor agonists; obesity therapeutics (CuraGen); leptin mimetics; A-74498; second-generation leptin; NBI-103; CL-314698; CP-114271; beta-3 adrenoceptor agonists; NMI-8739; UCL-1283; BMS-192548; CP-94253; PD-160170; nicotinic agonist; LG-100754; SB-226552; LY-355124; CKD-711; L-751250; PPAR inhibitors; G-protein therapeutics; obesity therapy (Amylin Pharmaceuticals Inc.); BW-1229; monoclonal antibody (ObeSys/CAT); L-742791; (S)-sibutramine; MBU-23; YM-268; BTS-78050; tubby-like protein genes; genomics (eating disorders; Allelix/Lilly); MS-706; GI-264879A; GW-409890; FR-79620 analogs; obesity therapy (Hybrigenics SA); ICI-198157; ESP-A; 5-HT2C agonists; PD-170292; AIT-202; LG-100641; GI-181771; anti-obesity therapeutics (Genzyme); leptin modulator; GHRH mimetics; obesity therapy (Yamanouchi Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.); SB-251023; CP-331684; BIBO-3304; cholesten-3-ones; LY-362884; BRL-48962; PY-1 antagonists; A-71378; ®-didesmethylsibutramine; obesity therapeutics (Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.); obesity therapeutics (Ligand Pharmaceuticals Inc.); LY-226936; NPY antagonists; CCK-A agonists; FPL-14294; PD-145942; ZA-7114; CL-316243; SR-58878; R-1065; BDBP-3226; HP-228; talibegron; FR-165914; AZM-008; AZM-016; AZM-120; AZM-090; AZM-131; AZM-132; AZM-134; AZM-127; AZM-083; AZM-1 15; AZM-140; vomeropherin; BMS-187257; D-3800; gene discovery (Axys/Glaxo); BRL-26830A; SX-013; ERR modulators; adipsin; AC-253; A-71623; A-68552; BMS-210285; TAK-677; MPV-1743; obesity therapeutics (Modex); GI-248573; exopipam; SSR-125180; obesity therapeutics (Melacure Therapeutics AB); BRL-35135; SR-146131; P-57; CGP-71583A; RF-1051; BMS-196085; manifaxine; DMNJ (Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology); BVT-5182; LY-255582; SNX-024; galanin antagonists; neurokinin-3 antagonists; dexfenfluramine; mazindol; diethylpropion; phendimetrazine; benzphetamine; amfebutmone; sertraline; AOD-9604; ATL-062; BVT-933; GT389-255; SLV319; HE-2500; PEG-axokine; L-796568; and ABT-239; rimonabant, sibutramine, orlistat, PYY or an analog thereof, CB-1 antagonist, leptin, phentermine, and exendin analogs; GPR1 19 agonists (e.g., anandamide; AR-231, 453; MBX-2982; Oleoylethanolamide; PSN-365,963; PSN-632,408; palmitoylethanolamide); GPR120 agonists; GPR 40 agonists; and SGLT2 inhibitors.

Additionally, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite or salt or derivative can be used in combination with one or more drugs for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. For example the molecule as provided herein can be used in combination with one or more agents for treatment of Alzheimer's disease selected from cholinesterase inhibitors (Aricept, Exelon, Razadyne) and memantine (Namenda), donepezil, Namenda XR, galatamine, rivastigmine, Aricept ODT, vitamin e, Razadyne ER, Namzaric, donepezil/memantine, Alpha E, Hydergine, ergoloid mesylates, Aqua-E, etanercept, Vita-Plus E Natural, Aqua Gem-E, Aquasol E, Aquavite-E, E-400 Clear, E-600, E-Gems, E Pherol, and Nutr-E-Sol. Anti-amyloid agents, anti-inflammatory agents, Sigma 1 receptor agonists, NMDA receptor antagonists, serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitiors (bupropion), BACE inhibitors, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, insulin, dopamine reuptake inhibitors, orexin receptor antagonists, acetylcholinesterase inhibitors, Tau protein aggregation inhibitors, RAGE antagonists, and/or ositive allosteric modulator of GABA-A receptors can also be employed in combination with the molecules of the embodiments. Additionally, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite or salt or derivative as provided herein can be used in combination with one or more agents for treatment of Parkinsons disease selected from levodopa, Carbidopa (Lodosyn), Carbidopa-levodopa (Sinemet, Sinemet CR, Parcopa, Rytary) Carbidopa-levodopa-entacopone (Duopa), Entacopone (Comtan), Tolcapone (Tasmar), Carbidopa-levodopa-Entacopone (Stalevo), Pramipexole (Mirapex, Mirapex ER), Ropinirole (Requip, Requip XL), Apomorphine (Apokyn), Rotigotine (Neupro), Selegiline (Zelapar), Rasagiline (Azilect), Safinamide (Xadago), Amantadine (Symmetrel, Gocovri), Trihexyphenidyl (Artane), Baclofen (Lioresal), Dantrolene (Dantrium), Riluzole (Rilutek), Tacrine (Cognex), Tetrabenazine (Xenazinenitoman), Tizandine (Zanaflex), Tolcapone (Tasmar), and Benzotropine (Cogentin). DOPA decarboxylase inhibitors, DA precursors, COMT inhibitors, DA agonist, MAO-B inhibitors, NMDA antagonists, and/or anticholinergics can also be employed in combination with the molecules of the embodiments.

Additionally, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite or salt or derivative as provided herein can be used in combination with one or more agents selected from Altoprev (lovastatin), Crestor (rosuvastatin), Lescol (fluvastatin), Lipitor (atorvastatin), Livalo (pitavastatin), Pravachol (pravastatin), Zocor (simvastatin), an anti-platelet medication, a beta blocker, an ACE inhibitor, a calcium channel blocker, a diuretic, anticoagulants, aspirin, bile acid sequestrants, Ezetimibe, Fibrates, Glycoprotein IIb/IIIa Receptor Inhibitors, Niacin (Nicotinic Acid), Nitrates, Platelet Inhibitors, Thrombolytics, lisinopril oral, atenolol oral, Bystolic oral, Diovan oral, hydrochlorothiazide oral, metoprolol succinate oral, amlodipine oral, Norvasc oral, Toprol XL oral, Benicar oral, metoprolol tartrate oral, losartan oral, lisinopril-hydrochlorothiazide oral, clonidine HCl oral, Diovan HCT oral, Cozaar oral, propranolol oral, spironolactone oral, Azor oral, carvedilol oral, Coreg oral, Benicar HCT oral, Exforge oral, Avapro oral, Lotrel oral, verapamil oral, furosemide oral, Lasix oral, Hyzaar oral, Tekturna oral, enalapril maleate oral, Micardis oral, losartan-hydrochlorothiazide oral, ramipril oral, Lopressor oral, Altace oral, Micardis HCT oral, Avalide oral, diltiazem oral, triamterene-hydrochlorothiazide oral, labetalol oral, terazosin oral, amlodipine-benazepril oral, hydralazine oral, Atacand oral, benazepril oral, Tribenzor oral, triamterene oral, doxazosin oral, nifedipine oral, Ziac oral, Aldactone oral, Maxzide oral, Cartia XT oral, prazosin oral, Cardizem CD oral, Zestril oral, Dyazide oral, bisoprolol fumarate oral, Tenex oral, Tenormin oral, Coreg CR oral, Prinivil oral, valsartan oral, atenolol-chlorthalidone oral, Edarbyclor oral, benazepril-hydrochlorothiazide oral, ferrous sulfate oral, Ferrlecit intravenous, Feraheme intravenous, Feosol oral, Infed injection, Integra oral, Ferrex 150 Forte oral, Tandem Dual Action oral, Ferrex 150 oral, ferrous gluconate oral, Corvite 150 oral, Integra F oral, NovaFerrum oral, Iron (ferrous sulfate) oral, Vitron-C oral, Folic acid, corticosteroids, rituximab, IVIG, prednisone, methylprednisolone oral, Kenalog injection, Medrol (Pak) oral, Medrol oral, dexamethasone oral, Depo-Medrol injection, prednisolone oral, DexPak 13 Day oral, Solu-Medrol intravenous, hydrocortisone oral, Cortef oral, Deltasone oral, triamcinolone acetonide injection, cortisone oral, cholinesterase inhibitors such as Donepezil (Aricept), Rivastigmine (Exelon), and Galantamine (Razadyne), Memantine, Aricept, Namenda, Namenda XR, Razadyne ER, Alpha E, vitamin E, Hydergine, Namzaric, Dopamine Agonists such as pramipexole (Mirapex), ropinirole (Requip), rotigotine (Neupro patch) and apomorphine (Apokyn), Anticholinergics such as benztropine (Cogentin) and trihexyphenidyl, MAO-B Inhibitors such as (Eldepryl, Zelapar) and rasagiline (Azilect), COMT Inhibitors such as Entacapone (Comtan), Carbidopa/Levodopa (Sinemet®), amantadine, Tetrabenazine (Xenazine), haloperidol (Haldol), chlorpromazine, risperidone (Risperdal), quetiapine (Seroquel), olanzapine (Zyprexa), indomethacin, sulindac, etodolac, mefenamic acid, meclofenamic acid, meclofenamate sodium, flufenamic acid, tolmetin, ketorolac, diclofenac, diclofenac sodium, ibuprofen, naproxen, naproxen sodium, fenoprofen, ketoprofen, flurbiprofen, oxaprozin piroxicam, meloxicam, ampiroxicam, droxicam, lornoxicam, cinnoxicam, sudoxicam, and tenoxicam.

Additionally, a compound of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite disclosed herein can be used in combination with one or more agents selected from iron dextran, iron sumalate, polysaccharide iron, ferrus fumarate, carbonyl iron, ferrous asparto glycinate, heme iron polypeptide can be sometimes indicated, ferrus bisglycinate as can be the administration of other medicaments such as androgen hormones, such as erythropoietin, folic acid, vitamin B 12, vitamin C, succinic acid, niacin, pyridoxine, riboflavin, biotin, thiamine, calcium formate, Aminoxin, Anadrol-50, Chromagen Forte, Epoetin alfa, Epogen, Fe C Tab Plus, FeRiva, FeRivaFA, Ferocon, Ferotrin, Ferralet 90, Ferrex 28, Ferrogels Forte, FoliTab 500, Fumatinic, Hematogen Forte, Hemetab, Integra Plus, Irospan 42/6, Lenalidomide, Maxaron Forte, Myferon 150 Forte, MyKidz Iron, NovaFerrum, Oxymetholone, Procrit, Proferrin-Forte, Pyridoxine, Repliva 21/7, Revlimid, and Tricon.

Dosing

As will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, the useful in vivo dosage to be administered and the particular mode of administration will vary depending upon the age, weight, the severity of the condition, and mammalian species treated, the particular forms of the compounds employed, and the specific use for which these compounds are employed. The determination of effective dosage levels, that is the dosage levels necessary to achieve the desired result, can be accomplished by one skilled in the art using routine methods, for example, in vivo studies. Reference may be made to, for example, “Estimating the Maximum Safe Starting Dose in Initial Clinical Trials for Therapeutics in Adult Healthy Volunteers,” U.S. Food and Drug Administration, July 2005.

In some embodiments, a method provided herein may comprise administering a therapeutically effective amount of a composition provided herein. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount may be determined by reference to the modulation of a marker of a condition provided herein including inflammation, hyperglycemia, iron overload, neuronal iron deposition, and amyloid-β plaque deposition. In some embodiments, a therapeutically effective amount may be determined by reference to the modulation of a symptom of a condition provided herein. In still other embodiments, reference may be made to established guidelines for the conditions described herein, including, but not limited to, guidelines for the treatment of a condition provided herein including inflammation.

The dosage may vary broadly, depending upon the desired effects and the therapeutic indication, such as marker values. Alternatively, dosages may be based and calculated upon the surface area or weight of the patient, as understood by those of skill in the art. The exact dosage will be determined on a case-by-case basis, or, in some cases, will be left to the informed discretion of the subject. The daily dosage regimen for an adult human patient may be, for example, an oral dose of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite provided herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, or a mixture of a plurality of small molecule biochemicals, or a salt or derivative thereof, from about 0.01 mg to about 10000 mg, from about 1 mg to about 5000 mg, from about 5 mg to about 2000 mg, from about 10 mg to about 1000 mg, or from about 50 mg to about 500 mg. A single dose may include a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a salt or derivative thereof, in about 0.01 mg, about 0.1 mg, about 1 mg, about 5 mg, about 10 mg, about 20 mg, about 50 mg, about 100 mg, about 200 mg, about 300 mg, about 400 mg, about 500 mg, about 600 mg, about 800 mg, about 900 mg, about 1000 mg, about 2000 mg, about 5000 mg, or more. The dosage may be adjusted according to the body mass of the subject, for example, the dosage may be about 0.001 mg/kg, about 0.01 mg/kg, about 0.1 mg/kg, about 0.5 mg/kg, about 1 mg/kg, about 2 mg/kg, about 3 mg/kg, about 4 mg/kg, about 5 mg/kg, about 6 mg/kg, about 7 mg/kg, about 8 mg/kg, about 9 mg/kg, about 10 mg/kg, about 15 mg/kg, about 20 mg/kg, about 25 mg/kg, about 30 mg/kg, or higher. The dosage may be a single one or a series of two or more given in the course of one or more days, as is appropriate for the individual subject. In some embodiments, the compounds will be administered for a period of continuous therapy, for example for about a week or more (e.g., one week, two weeks, three weeks, four weeks, five weeks, six weeks, seven weeks, eight weeks, or more), for several weeks, for about a month or more (e.g., one month, two months, three months, four months, five months, six months, seven months, eight months, nine months, ten months, eleven months, twelve months, or more), for about a year or more, or for a plurality of years. In some embodiments, a small molecule biochemical or metabolite provided herein, or a salt or derivative thereof, can be administered or ingested one time per day, two times per day, three times per day, or more.

As will be understood by those of skill in the art, in certain situations it may be necessary to administer the compounds disclosed herein in amounts that exceed the above-stated, preferred dosage range in order to effectively treat a subject.

Unit dosage forms can also be provided, e.g., individual packages with a premeasured amount of the composition, configured for administration on a predetermined schedule. Unit dosage forms configured for administration one to three times a day are preferred; however, in certain embodiments it may be desirable to configure the unit dosage form for administration more than three times a day, or less than one time per day.

Dosage amount and interval may be adjusted to the individual subject to provide plasma levels of the active moiety which are sufficient to maintain predetermined parameters, indicators, or marker values, or minimal effective concentration (MEC). Dosages necessary to achieve the desired result will depend on individual characteristics and route of administration. However, assays, for example, HPLC assays or bioassays, may be used to determine serum concentrations.

In some embodiments, the compounds and methods provided herein may be used in conjunction with devices and methods of using devices, for example, as provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,651,845; 8,251,904; 8,251,904; 4,985,015; 8,827,957; 4,252,159; 5,318,521; 4,718,430; 9,713,600, 9,707,199, 9,687,461, 9,662,306, 9,561,206, U.S. Publ. No. 2011/0190702; U.S. Publ. No. 2017/0266144, U.S. Publ. No. 2016/0324814, U.S. Publ. No. 2016/0195559, U.S. Publ. No. 2016/0195558, U.S. Publ. No. 2016/0193172, 2 U.S. Publ. No. 016/0193171, U.S. Publ. No. 2016/0193170, WO 2016/111843, DE 2615061; and in conjunction with diagnostic devices, for example, as provided in U.S. Publ. No. 2012/0072236. The contents of each of the foregoing patent documents is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Diagnosis and Monitoring

Provided herein are methods for the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions provided herein including neurodegenerative diseases, central and peripheral inflammation, amyloid-β plaques, and neuronal iron deposition.

In some embodiments, the method of diagnosis or monitoring may comprise the step of measuring a percentage of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, such as an amino acid, carbohydrate, lipid, nucleotides, peptide or xenobiotic as described herein, in a bodily fluid. In some embodiments, the method of diagnosis or monitoring may comprise the step of measuring a marker of a condition provided herein including inflammation or hyperglycemia in a subject. In some embodiments, the method of diagnosis or monitoring may comprise the step of measuring a marker of iron overload. In some embodiments, a correlation between one marker and another may prove instructive. In some embodiments, neurodegenerative disease or a related condition may be diagnosed by reference to a threshold level of erythrocyte sedimentation rate, for example, or serum or plasma small molecule biochemical or metabolite. In some embodiments, a condition provided herein including neurodegenerative diseases may be diagnosed by reference to a threshold level of a marker of the condition, for example, serum small molecule biochemical or metabolite percentage, serum concentration of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or serum total small molecule biochemical or metabolite, or a ratio between two serum small molecule biochemicals. For example, the threshold may be determined by reference to a symptom or marker of a condition provided herein including inflammation or hyperglycemia. For example, the condition can be metabolic syndrome.

The percentage of a small molecule biochemical or metabolite or a marker of a condition provided herein including inflammation or hyperglyecmia, in a subject may be monitored by any means. Samples for analysis may be derived any fluid or tissue of the subject. For example, from serum, plasma, erythrocyte membranes, urine, and feces.

EXAMPLES Example 1

Biochemicals (i.e., small molecule biochemicals) present in serum or plasma may serve as biomarkers, therapeutic targets, natural supplements, or therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases. The most promising biochemicals are expected to be 1) detectable in blood and 2) have demonstrable differences between subjects with varying severities of neuroinflammation, amyloid-β plaques, and neuronal iron accumulation. Other desirable but not critical aspects of promising diagnostic and therapeutic biochemicals for neurodegenerative diseases would have demonstrated ability to be increased in concentration with interventions with or without correlated systemic clinical benefits. It was hypothesized that small molecule metabolite biomarkers, therapeutic targets, natural supplements, and therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases could be discovered by identifying biochemicals that met at least the first two criteria above, using samples from bottlenose dolphin populations.

Bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) are large-brained, long-lived mammals that can develop histologic changes consistent with neurodegenerative diseases in humans and have been characterized as one of the very few natural animal models of Alzheimer's disease (Gunn-Moore D, Daidanovich-Beilin O, Iradi M C G, Gunn-Moore F, Lovestone S (2018) Alzheimer's disease in humans and other animals: A consequence of postreproductive live span and longevity rather than aging. Alz Demen 14:195-204, Di Guardo G (2018) Alzheimer's disease, cellular prior protein, and dolphins. Alz Demen 14:259-260). Dolphins can also develop aging-associated conditions similar to humans, including inflammation, anemia, hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, hyperinsulinemia, liver disease, and iron overload (Venn-Watson S (2013) Blood-based indicators of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). Frontiers Endo 4:136, Venn-Watson S (2013) Associations of ceruloplasmin and haptoglobin with inflammation and glucose in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) J Comp Clin Path DOI: 10.1007/s00580-013-1738-0, Venn-Watson S (2012) Hemochromatosis and fatty change: building evidence for insulin resistance in bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus). J Zoo Wildlf Med 43:S35-S47, Venn-Watson S (2011) Physiology of aging among healthy, older bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus): comparisons with aging humans. J Comp Phys B 181:667-680, Venn-Watson S (2008) Clinical relevance of elevated transaminases in a bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) population. J Wildlf Dis 44: 318-330). For over 60 years, the U.S. Navy has cared for a population of approximately 100 dolphins. While the average lifespan of dolphins in the wild is 20 years, Navy dolphins on average live 32 years, more than fifty percent longer than wild dolphins. Approximately one-third of Navy dolphins are between 30 to 50 years old. Due in part to these populations' age differences, Navy dolphins have higher mean glucose, iron, and ferritin levels compared to wild dolphins living in Sarasota Bay, Florida.

In addition to differences in mean age, Navy and wild dolphins ingest different fish-based diets. Historically, Navy dolphins have been fed a diet of small, low-fat species, such as capelin and squid. Wild dolphins in Sarasota Bay ingest a large variety of fish, including larger, high-fat species, such as mullet and pinfish. It has been previously demonstrated that feeding Navy dolphins a modified diet resembling that of wild dolphins resulted in improved clinical indices of aging-associated conditions, including lowered ferritin and normalized glucose (Venn-Watson S et al. (2015) Increased dietary intake of saturated fatty acid heptadecanoic acid (C17:0) associated with decreasing ferritin and alleviated metabolic syndrome in dolphins. PLOS ONE 10(7): e0132117. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0132117).

Routine, fasted serum samples collected throughout 26 Navy dolphins' lifespans and archived at −80° C. were submitted for global metabolomics and complex lipid profiling. The sample set targeted one sample for each dolphin's year of life, resulting in 355 samples for the study with paired clinical pathology data. In addition, single serum samples from 38 wild dolphins living in Sarasota Bay, Florida were included in the sample set.

Of the 26 Navy dolphins included in the study, archived brains stored in formalin and of sufficient quality were available from 19 animals (12 males and 7 females). Brains were provided to a pathology service in 10% neutral buffered formalin as whole, pre-sliced, or in parts. Each brain was sectioned as 0.5 cm thick coronal slices for a total of 13 slices, each slice corresponding to a different region of interest. Tissue slices were processed and embedded following the pathology services' standard protocol. A total of 68 formalin-fixed paraffin-imbedded (FFPA) tissues from the frontal cortex (n=18), hippocampus (n=15), red nucleus (n=18) and substantia nigra (N=17) from the 19 dolphins were sectioned at 4 μM. These slides were prepared for individual staining.

Prussian blue staining was used to detect and measure iron accumulation in dolphin brain samples. One slide per sample was stained with 10% potassium ferricyanide solution mixed with equal volume of 20% HCl for 20 minutes and counterstained with Nuclear Fast red, according to the pathology service's standard protocol.

Immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for amyloid-β was performed for each targeted and available tissue. Amyloid-β was stained using APP/β-amyloid (NAB228) mouse IgG2a antibody (Cell Signaling Technology, Danvers, MA, Catalog Number 2450) at 1:200 dilution. IHC optimization was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) dolphin sample 17-002 MAK B05, using a Leica Bond automated immunostainer. Amyloid beta (A(3) was tested at four different dilutions plus a negative control (no primary antibody): 1:100, 1:200, 1:400 and 1:800. Heat induced antigen retrieval was performed using Leica Bond Epitope Retrieval Buffer 1 (Citrate solution, pH6.0) for 20 minutes (ER1(20)) or Leica Bond Epitope Retrieval Buffer 2 (EDTA solution, pH9.0) for 20 minutes (ER2(20)). Non-specific background was blocked with 5% milk in PBS-T. Beta Amyloid antibody was detected using Novocastra Bond Refine Polymer Detection and visualized with 3′3-diaminobenzidine (DAB; brown). A Hematoxylin nuclear counterstain (blue) was applied. Optimization slides were examined. It was determined that 1:200 with ER2(20) provided the optimal staining conditions. AP IHC was performed on one slide per sample from the cortex (frontal), hippocampus, substantia nigra and red nucleus blocks. FFPE human midbrain was used as a positive control. A negative control (no primary) was performed on dolphin brain tissue. An example image of AP plaque staining in dolphin brain tissue is provided (FIG. 1, a-c).

IHC staining for neuroinflammation was determined using cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68). CD68 staining was performed for each targeted and available tissue using CD68 monoclonal mouse antibody (KP1) (Thermo Fisher, Waltham, Mass., Catalog Number MA5-13324) at 1:100 dilution. IHC optimization was performed on FFPE sample 17-002 MAK B05, using a Leica Bond automated immunostainer. CD68 was tested at four different dilutions plus a negative control (no primary antibody): 1:100, 1:200, 1:400 and 1:800. Heat induced antigen retrieval was performed using Leica Bond Epitope Retrieval Buffer 1 (Citrate solution, pH6.0) for 20 minutes (ER1(20)) or Leica Bond Epitope Retrieval Buffer 2 (EDTA solution, pH9.0) for 20 minutes (ER2(20)). Non-specific background was blocked with 5% milk in PBS-T. CD68 antibody was detected using Novocastra Bond Refine Polymer Detection and visualized with 3′3-diaminobenzidine (DAB; brown). A Hematoxylin nuclear counterstain (blue) was applied. Optimization slides were examined and Reveal Biosciences determined 1:100 with ER1(20) as the optimal staining conditions. CD68 IHC was performed on one slide per sample from the cortex (frontal), hippocampus, substantia nigra and red nucleus blocks. FFPE human tonsil was used as a positive control. A negative control (no primary) was performed on dolphin brain tissue. An example image of CD68⁺ cell staining in dolphin brain tissue is provided (FIG. 1, d-f).

Whole slide images were generated in bright field using a Pannoramic SCAN (3D Histech) and are provided on a USB data drive together with image viewing software. Images were assessed for quality by an image specialist and any images not meeting the quality criteria were rescanned. Image analysis data were generated by automated analysis of whole slide images using ImageDx™ software. This software integrates tissue section and color deconvolution-based quantification to organize and characterize data for each slide. The color deconvolution quantification algorithm first isolated marker positive image data from the total tissue image data. The algorithm identified tissue with respect to location on the slide and then the positive stained regions for Turnbull's or Prussian blue staining. These identified regions were then quantified for precise positivity, corresponding to neurons.

Dolphins were categorized based on the presence or absence of the following criteria: Dolphins with “High” amyloid-β plaque, CD68⁺ cell, or iron densities had greater than the 50^(th) percentile staining compared to the rest of the study population. If staining quantities were below the 50^(th) percentile compared to the rest of the study population, dolphins were characterized as “Low” staining.

A total of 355 archived serum samples from this study were analyzed for small molecules using global metabolomics and complex lipid profiling. Briefly, serum extracts were prepared and analyzed using three methods: ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UPLC-MS/MS) with positive ion mode electrospray ionization (ESI), UPLC-MS/MS with negative ion mode ESI, and hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (UPLC-MS/MS).

The informatics system consisted of four major components, the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), the data extraction and peak-identification software, data processing tools for QC and compound identification, and a collection of information interpretation and visualization tools for use by data analysts. The hardware and software foundations for these informatics components were the LAN backbone, and a database server running Oracle 10.2.0.1 Enterprise Edition.

Raw data were extracted, peak-identified and QC processed using proprietary hardware and software. Compounds were identified by comparison to library entries of purified standards or recurrent unknown entities. Biochemical identifications were based on three criteria: retention index within a narrow RI window of the proposed identification, accurate mass match to the library+/−10 ppm, and the MS/MS forward and reverse scores between the experimental data and authentic standards. Peaks were quantified using area-under-the-curve. A data normalization step was performed to correct variation resulting from instrument inter-day tuning differences.

Serum samples were also analyzed for complex lipids. Briefly, lipids were extracted from samples in methanol:dichloromethane in the presence of internal standards. The extracts were concentrated under nitrogen and reconstituted in 0.25mL of 10mM ammonium acetate dichloromethane:methanol (50:50). The extracts were transferred to inserts and placed in vials for infusion-MS analysis, performed on a Shimazdu LC with nano PEEK tubing and the Sciex Selexlon-5500 QTRAP. The samples were analyzed via both positive and negative mode electrospray. The 5500 QTRAP scan was performed in MRM mode with the total of more than 1,100 MRMs. Individual lipid species were quantified by taking the peak area ratios of target compounds and their assigned internal standards, then multiplying by the concentration of internal standard added to the sample. Lipid class concentrations were calculated from the sum of all molecular species within a class, and small molecule metabolite compositions were determined by calculating the proportion of each class comprised by individual small molecule biochemicals.

Five statistical models were used to identify targeted serum biochemicals that may detect, prevent and/or treat neurodegenerative diseases. First, one-way ANOVAs (contrasts and mixed effects) were used to determine the fold of change in a given serum metabolite among dolphins aged 15 to 25 years old compared to dolphins aged 3 to 15 years old. This analysis was done separately for dolphins with high and low staining for amyloid-β, CD68 and iron. Molecules in which the fold of change with increasing age among 1) “High” staining dolphins was significantly low (P≤0.05) and/or 2) “Low” staining dolphins was significantly high were identified as targeted biochemicals in which there may be a benefit to raising serum levels of that biochemical to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases. Second, Welch's two-sample t-tests were performed to compare serum biochemical quantities between Navy dolphins and wild dolphins to identify biochemicals that were higher in wild dolphins, with the belief that wild dolphin serum levels may represent naturally desired levels. Third, correlations between the targeted biochemical levels and circulating glucose and neutrophils were evaluated to assess potential systemic clinical benefits (i.e., lower glucose and lower neutrophils) correlated with higher serum levels of targeted biochemicals. Fourth, the targeted serum biochemicals were assessed for the relevance of 1) amyloid-β plaque density (main effect), 2) age (main effect), and 3) amyloid-β plaque density x age (mixed effects) on serum levels.

Of 68 brain tissues assessed, at least one amyloid-β plaque was detected in 63 (93%) samples representing all 19 dolphins. The greatest variation in amyloid-β plaque density was in the hippocampus (Table 1). Amyloid-β plaque density in the hippocampus ranged from 0 to 46 plaques per mm² with quantile distribution as follows: 10%=0.00, 25%=0.04, 50%=0.61, 75%=0.90, 90%=4.95. This distribution of densities within the hippocampus is consistent with those reported in elderly humans with no clinical signs of dementia (0.2±0.1 plaques/mm²) and cases with severe disorientation and memory impairment, but no aphasia, apraxia and agnosia (5.7±1.1 plaques/mm²) (Bouras et al. 1994). There were no differences in amyloid-β plaque density when comparing males and females. Dolphins with higher amyloid-β plaque density (more than 0.61 plaques/mm²) were older than dolphins with lower amyloid-β plaque density (less than 0.61 plaques/mm2) (30±11 versus 18±11 years old, respectively; P=0.053).

Table 1 summarizes the mean±SD of amyloid-β plaque and CD68⁺ cell densities in four sections of archived brains that were available from 19 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus).

TABLE 1 Amyloid-β plaque CD68⁺ cell Brain section density density (n = number of dolphins) (plaques/mm²) (cells/mm²) Frontal cortex (n = 18) 1.4 ± 2.3 0.3 ± 0.5 Hippocampus (n = 15) 3.8 ± 11.8 0.5 ± 0.4 Red nucleus (n = 18) 1.0 ± 1.3 0.2 ± 0.2 Substantia nigra (n = 17) 1.5 ± 2.8 0.1 ± 0.1 Differences by section (P value) 0.91 0.002 Differences by sex (P value) 0.29 0.92

CD68⁺ staining was evident in dolphin brain tissues, with the highest CD68⁺ cell densities present in the hippocampus and lowest concentrations in the substantia nigra (Table 1). There were no differences in CD68⁺ staining densities when comparing males and females.

Of approximately 2,000 biochemicals and complex lipids identified in dolphin serum, 61 (3%) met this study's criteria of targeted biochemicals with the potential to detect, prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases (Table 2). Decreased or increased serum levels of 30 biochemicals with age were associated with dolphins with higher or lower amyloid-β plaque densities, respectively. Of these, 28 (93%) biochemicals had higher serum levels (ranging from 1.1 to 11 times greater levels) in wild dolphins compared to Navy dolphins. While most targeted biochemicals reached significance when using the age group ratio of 15 to 25 years old over 3 to 15 years old, all 12 triacylglycerol species associated with a lower risk of amyloid-β plaques reached significance when using the age group ratio of 26 to 35 years old over 15 to 25 years old. This indicates that the role of triacylglycerol species in amyloid-β plaques as a diagnostic or potential therapeutic may be more relevant later in life.

Decreased or increased serum levels of 18 biochemicals with age were associated with dolphins with higher or lower CD68⁺ cell densities (i.e. inflammation), respectively. Of these, 14 (78%) biochemicals had higher serum levels (ranging from 1.3 to 9.8 times greater levels) in wild dolphins compared to Navy dolphins. While most targeted biochemicals reached significance when using the age group ratio of 15 to 25 years old over 3 to 15 years old, serum cholate and ceramide (C14:0) levels reached significance when using the age group ratio of 3 to 15 years old over 0 to 2 years old. This suggests that the role of cholate and ceramide (14:0) in neuroinflammation as a diagnostic or potential therapeutic may be more relevant earlier in life.

Higher levels of three biochemicals, namely hippurate, xanthosine and xanthenurate, were associated with a lower risk of both amyloid-β plaques and neuroinflammation. Serum levels of these three biochemicals were 2.0, 2.1, and 2.6 times greater in wild dolphins compared to Navy dolphins, respectively.

Decreased or increased serum levels of 14 biochemicals were associated with dolphins with higher or lower iron deposition in the brain, respectively. Of these, 12 (86%) biochemicals had higher serum levels in wild dolphins compared to Navy dolphins. Almost all (12 of 14) targeted biochemicals reached significance when using the age group ratio of 3 to 15 years old over 0 to 2 years old. This suggests that these biochemicals may play a more important role on brain iron deposition early in life.

Table 2 summarizes ‘targeted’ serum biochemicals discovered in the dolphin model that may detect, prevent, and treat neurodegenerative diseases. Serum biochemical ratios were based on 15-to-25-year old dolphins over 3-to-15-year old dolphins among dolphins with 1) high staining densities for brain lesions (amyloid-β plaques, CD68⁺, or iron; or 2) low staining densities for the studied brain lesions. Targeted biochemicals were those that had significantly lower ratios among dolphins with high staining for amyloid-β, iron, or CD68 (i.e. neuroinflammation) and/or were significantly higher among dolphins with low staining for amyloid-β, iron, or CD68 (i.e. neuroinflammation). Serum metabolite concentrations were also compared between wild and Navy dolphins.

TABLE 2 Serum biochemical quantity ratio $\frac{\text{15-25 years old}}{\text{3-15 years old}}$ $\frac{\text{Wild dolphins}}{\text{Navy dolphins}}$ High Low P Serum biochemical density density P value Ratio value Amyloid-β plaque density 1-carboxyethylleucine 0.29 1.28 0.011 6.54 <0.001 1-carboxyethylvaline 0.60 1.32 0.032 5.4  <0.001 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (C5) 0.49 1.06 0.001 1.68 <0.001 benzoylcarnitine 0.55 1.21 0.011 2.14 <0.001 hippurate 0.58 1.11 0.022 1.99 <0.001 methylnaphthyl sulfate 0.43 1.17 0.001 0.73 <0.001 N-acetylalanine 0.76 1.09 0.042 2.31 <0.001 N-acetylglycine 0.92 1.06 0.045 1.13   0.043 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/16:1) 0.39 1.11 0.016 5.81 <0.001 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/18:1) 0.33 1.02 0.015 7.04 <0.001 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/18:2) 0.55 1.13 0.045 3.66 <0.001 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:3) 0.74 0.94 0.007 2.63 <0.001 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:4) 0.50 1.00 0.002 3.99 <0.001 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:5) 0.76 1.14 <0.001 1.86 <0.001 phosphatidylethanolamine (18:1/22:0) 0.38 1.16 0.038 6.36 <0.001 phosphatidylethanolamine (P-16:0/18:0) 0.92 1.00 <0.001* 1.35   0.094 triacylglycerol 52:1-FA20:0 0.15 1.19 <0.001⁺ 9.47 <0.001 triacylglycerol 52:2-FA20:0 0.18 1.34 <0.001⁺ 7.47 <0.001 triacylglycerol 54:1-FA18:1 0.40 1.15 0.050⁺ 4.44 <0.001 triacylglycerol 54:1-FA20:0 0.16 1.09 0.002⁺ 9.48 <0.001 triacylglycerol 54:2-FA20:0 0.17 1.24 0.002⁺ 8.41 <0.001 triacylglycerol 54:4-FA20:4 0.48 1.13 0.034⁺ 2.38 <0.001 triacylglycerol 56:1-FA18:1 0.35 1.01 0.013⁺ 4.46 <0.001 triacylglycerol 56:2-FA20:0 0.13 1.06 0.003⁺ 10.95  <0.001 triacylglycerol 56:4-FA22:4 0.11 0.75 <0.001⁺ 9.19 <0.001 triacylglycerol 58:5-FA18:1 0.46 1.02 0.049⁺ 2.57 <0.001 triacylglycerol 58:6-FA22:4 0.44 0.91 0.049⁺ 2.47 <0.001 triacylglycerol 58:7-FA22:4 0.53 0.91 0.048⁺ 1.47   0.021 xanthosine 0.69 1.14 0.018 2.01 <0.001 xanthurenate 0.45 1.04 0.030 2.64 <0.001 CD68⁺ cell density (neuroinflammation) 4-guanidinobutanoate 0.49 1.00 0.026 6.38 <0.001 4-hydroxyglutamate 0.78 1.16 0.026 4.78 <0.001 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine 0.95 1.30 0.0005 0.90   0.008 CER (14:0) 0.56 1.22 0.001* 1.06   0.314 chenodeoxycholate 0.28 1.16 0.026 9.75 <0.001 cholate 0.43 1.89 <0.001* 4.51   0.001 creatine 0.76 1.03 0.001 1.75 <0.001 gamma-glutamylcitrulline 0.87 1.23 0.042 1.2    0.121 gamma-glutamylhistidine 0.69 1.17 0.005 0.87   0.1  hippurate 0.72 1.15 0.014 1.99 <0.001 myo-inositol 0.76 1.54 0.004 1.53 <0.001 N-acetylthreonine 0.94 1.18 0.002 1.93 <0.001 O-sulfo-L-tyrosine 0.83 1.14 0.028 2.14 <0.001 PE (P-18:0/22:2) 0.44 1.00 <0.001* 0.96   0.011 S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) 0.94 1.31 0.003 1.3  <0.001 vanillylmandelate (VMA) 0.65 1.03 0.002 1.23   0.507 xanthosine 0.77 1.16 0.008 2.01 <0.001 xanthurenate 0.56 1.28 0.003 2.64 <0.001 Neuronal iron density 3-hydroxyisobutyrate 0.86 1.67 0.027 1.82 <0.001 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate 0.66 1.86 <0.001* 1.2  <0.001 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate 0.68 1.42 <0.001* 1.26   0.001 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate 0.68 1.42 <0.001* 1.22   0.002 5-oxoproline 0.76 1.41 0.0002 1.08   0.003 arabitol/xylitol 0.67 1.39 <0.001* 1.34 <0.001 betaine 0.84 1.04 <0.001* 1.52 <0.001 indole-3-carboxylate 0.86 1.53 <0.001* 1.17   0.038 lactate 0.62 2.02 <0.001 3.13 <0.001 maleate 0.88 1.74 <0.001* 1.06   0.484 N-acetylisoleucine 0.88 1.52 <0.001* 1.32   0.032 N-acetylputrescine 0.76 1.07 <0.001* 1.57 <0.001 N-acetyltaurine 0.72 1.25 <0.001* 1.05   0.1  ribitol 0.74 1.71 <0.001* 1.56 <0.001 *Serum metabolite quantity ratio based on 3-15 years old:0-2 years old; ⁺based on 26-35 years old:15-25 years old

Fifty-six (92%) of the 61 targeted serum biochemicals associated with a lower risk of neurodegenerative changes had linear correlations with lowered plasma glucose and/or lower absolute neutrophil counts in the study dolphins; 38 (61%) targeted serum biochemicals were inversely correlated with glucose, and 34 (55%) serum biochemicals were inversely correlated with neutrophil counts (Table 3). The following 18 targeted biochemicals were inversely correlated with both glucose and neutrophils: 4-hydroxyglutamate, benzoylcarnitine, chenodeoxycholate, creatine, hippurate, N6-acetylalanine, N-acetylthreonine, O-sulfo-L-tyrosine, PC (20:0/18:1), PC (20:0/18:2), PE (18:1/22:0), TAG 52:1-FA20:0, TAG 52:2-FA20:0, TAG 54:1-FA20:0, TAG 54:2-FA20:0, TAG 56:2-FA20:0, xanthosine and xanthenurate. Increased serum levels of the following 13 biochemicals were associated with both lower neutrophil counts (i.e., lower systemic inflammation) and lower CD68⁺ cell densities in the brain (i.e., neuroinflammation): 4-hydroxyglutamate, 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine, ceramide (14:0), chenodeoxycholate, cholate, creatine, gamma-glutamylhistidine, hippurate, N-acetylthreonine, O-sulfo-L-tyrosine, vanillylmandelate (VMA), xanthosine and xanthurenate.

Table 3 summarizes linear correlations of higher, targeted serum biochemical levels with desired lower glucose and/or lower absolute neutrophil counts among Navy bottlenose dolphins. CORR=correlation; NS=not significant.

TABLE 3 Glucose Neutrophils Serum biochemical P value CORR P value CORR 1-carboxyethylleucine NS NS 0.019 −0.123 1-carboxyethylvaline NS NS 0.051 −0.102 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (C5) <0.001 −0.193 NS NS 3-hydroxyisobutyrate 0.047 −0.103 NS NS 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate <0.001 −0.276 NS NS 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate 0.002 −0.161 NS NS 4-guanidinobutanoate <0.001 −0.21 NS NS 4-hydroxyglutamate <0.001 −0.222 <0.001 −0.172 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate <0.001 −0.19 NS NS 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine NS NS 0.024 −0.118 5-oxoproline <0.001 −0.362 NS NS arabitol/xylitol NS NS 0.0002 −0.19 benzoylcarnitine <0.001 −0.173 0.0005 −0.1815 betaine NS NS NS NS ceramide (14:0) NS NS 0.045 −0.107 chenodeoxycholate 0.005 −0.146 0.028 −0.115 cholate NS NS 0.01 −0.135 creatine <0.001 −0.227 0.05 −0.103 gamma-glutamylcitrulline NS NS NS NS gamma-glutamylhistidine NS NS 0.0002 −0.195 hippurate <0.001 −0.175 0.008 −0.138 indole-3-carboxylate <0.001 −0.261 NS NS lactate NS NS NS NS lignoceroylcarnitine (C24) NS NS <0.0001 −0.236 maleate NS NS 0.0001 −0.21 methylnaphthyl sulfate NS NS 0.0002 −0.194 myo-inositol 0.001 0.166 NS NS N6-acetyllysine 0.036 −0.109 0.0002 −0.195 N-acetylalanine NS NS NS NS N-acetylglycine 0.044 −0.105 NS NS N-acetylisoleucine NS NS NS NS N-acetylputrescine <0.001 −0.401 NS NS N-acetyltaurine NS NS NS NS N-acetylthreonine 0.004 −0.15 0.025 −0.117 O-sulfo-L-tyrosine 0.003 −0.154 0.052 −0.102 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/16:1) NS NS <0.001 −0.258 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/18:1) 0.017 0.126 <0.001 −0.231 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/18:2) 0.021 0.123 <0.001 −0.239 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:3) NS NS 0.0008 −0.178 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:4) NS NS <0.001 −0.279 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:5) NS NS <0.001 −0.287 phosphatidylethanolamine (18:1/22:0) 0.035 0.112 <0.001 −0.223 phosphatidylethanolamine (P-16:0/18:0) NS NS 0.019 −0.124 phosphatidylethanolamine (P-18:0/22:2) 0.021 −0.122 NS NS ribitol <0.001 −0.334 NS NS S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) 0.007 −0.14 NS NS triacylglycerol 52:1-FA20:0 0.007 0.144 0.003 −0.155 triacylglycerol 52:2-FA20:0 0.008 0.14 0.009 −0.14 triacylglycerol 54:1-FA18:1 0.001 0.168 NS NS triacylglycerol 54:1-FA20:0 0.005 0.147 0.009 −0.139 triacylglycerol 54:2-FA20:0 0.004 0.154 0.018 −0.126 triacylglycerol 54:4-FA20:4 0.028 0.117 NS NS triacylglycerol 56:1-FA18:1 0.025 0.12 NS NS triacylglycerol 56:2-FA20:0 0.004 0.152 0.018 −0.126 triacylglycerol 56:4-FA22:4 NS NS NS NS triacylglycerol 58:5-FA18:1 0.023 0.12 NS NS triacylglycerol 58:6-FA22:4 0.001 0.17 NS NS triacylglycerol 58:7-FA22:4 0.003 0.16 NS NS vanillylmandelate (VMA) NS NS <0.001 −0.24 xanthosine 0.037 −0.109 0.023 −0.119 xanthurenate <0.001 −0.206 0.007 −0.142

The relevance of the presence of age category to each biochemical was assessed using two-way ANOVA main effects considering amyloid-β plaque density (disease), age, and a mixed disease:age bin calculation. Amyloid-β plaque density was a main effector for 24 (39%) of the 61 targeted biochemicals, including all of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) (Table 4). Older age was a main effector for 18 (29%) of the targeted biochemicals, including all of the phosphatidylcholines. Age+amyloid-β plaque density were mixed effectors for 22 (35%) of the targeted biochemicals, including most of the amino acids.

Table 4 summarizes significant (P value≤0.05) effects of age, disease, and/or age+disease on serum biochemicals in the animal study population.

TABLE 4 Age + Age amyloid-β Amyloid-β main mixed Serum biochemical main effect effect effects 1-carboxyethylleucine NS NS 0.019 1-carboxyethylvaline NS NS 0.011 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (C5) NS NS 0.001 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate 0.049 NS NS 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine NS NS 0.032 benzoylcarnitine <0.001 NS 0.026 chenodeoxycholate NS NS 0.004 creatine NS <0.001 NS gamma-glutamylhistidine NS 0.004 NS hippurate NS 0.007 0.036 lignoceroylcarnitine (C24) NS <0.001 <0.001 methylnaphthyl sulfate 0.033 0.022 0.037 myo-inositol 0.041 NS NS N-acetylalanine NS NS 0.023 N-acetylglycine NS 0.049 0.038 N-acetylisoleucine 0.046 NS 0.033 N-acetylputrescine 0.036 NS NS phosphatidylcholine (20:0/16:1) NS <0.001 0.024 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/18:1) 0.018 0.003 0.016 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/18:2) 0.045 0.017 0.022 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:3) 0.025 0.019 0.030 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:4) 0.025 <0.001 0.006 phosphatidylcholine (20:0/20:5) NS <0.001 0.040 phosphatidylethanolamine (18:1/22:0) 0.024 0.013 0.025 phosphatidylethanolamine 0.039 NS NS (P-16:0/18:0) phosphatidylethanolamine NS <0.001 NS (P-18:0/22:2) triacylglyerol 52:1-FA20:0 0.039 0.023 NS triacylglyerol 52:2-FA20:0 0.041 0.024 NS triacylglyerol 54:1-FA18:1 0.026 NS NS triacylglyerol 54:1-FA20:0 0.032 NS NS triacylglyerol 54:2-FA20:0 0.026 NS NS triacylglyerol 54:4-FA20:4 0.040 NS NS triacylglyerol 56:1-FA18:1 0.029 NS NS triacylglyerol 56:2-FA20:0 0.027 NS NS triacylglyerol 56:4-FA22:4 0.018 0.017 NS triacylglyerol 58:5-FA18:1 0.033 NS NS triacylglyerol 58:6-FA22:4 0.003 NS NS triacylglyerol 58:7-FA22:4 0.008 NS NS vanillylmandelate (VMA) NS 0.028 0.020 xanthosine NS NS 0.027 xanthurenate NS NS 0.013

Example 2

Example 1 demonstrated that wild dolphins had higher serum levels of most of the desired, targeted biochemicals compared to Navy dolphins (Table 2). It was hypothesized that these differences in serum levels may be due, at least in part, to differences in dietary fish. As a proof of concept, this study examined the ability to effectively raise serum levels of targeted biochemicals that may help to prevent or treat neurodegenerative diseases through a modified, wild-type fish diet in 20 Navy dolphins (“Modified Diet”). The study dolphins lived in netted enclosures within San Diego Bay. The diets of the 20 modified diet dolphins were modified from a 75% capelin (plus 25% mix of squid, herring or mackerel) baseline diet to a diet consisting of 25% capelin, 50% mullet, and 25% mix of squid, herring, or mackerel while maintaining the same kilocalories. On blood collection days, modified diet dolphins were fed one-third of their daily diet in the morning after their routine overnight fast and 2 h postprandial, in-water, and trained blood samples were drawn (typically near 10:00 a.m.). An additional ten Navy dolphins (“Baseline Diet”) were maintained on the baseline capelin diet throughout the study period. There were no differences in age, sex, or body weight when comparing the two groups.

Two-hour post-prandial samples were collected from modified diet dolphins and baseline diet dolphins at baseline (month 0) and at three time points following the switch to the modified diet: months 1, 3, and 6. Dolphins were assessed for changes in serum levels, among the study months, for targeted biochemical levels that may detect, prevent and/or treat neurodegenerative diseases. Significance was defined as a P value≤0.05.

Serum concentrations of 15 of the targeted biochemicals were successfully and significantly raised in this study (Table 5). Increases in serum biochemical concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 4.1-fold higher than baseline (Month 0) or Month 1. In most cases, significant fold-increases in serum were achieved by Month 3 or Month 6 on the diet.

Table 5 summarizes ratios of targeted serum biochemical concentrations among later and earlier months of a 6-month modified fish diet study in dolphins.

This study successfully demonstrated that a modified diet could effectively raise serum levels of desired biochemicals that may prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases.

TABLE 5 Demonstrated ability to raise serum levels in animals during 6-month intervention Significant Month:Month month Ratio Targeted serum biochemicals comparisons (Increase) P value 1-carboxyethylleucine 3 mo |1 mo 1.18 0.024 6 mo |1 mo 1.33 <0.001 1-carboxyethylvaline 3 mo |1 mo 1.16 0.022 6 mo |1 mo 1.32 <0.001 4-guanidinobutanoate 6 mo |1 mo 1.38 0.026 4-hydroxyglutamate 1 mo |0 mo 1.75 <0.001 3 mo |0 mo 1.97 <0.001 6 mo |0 mo 1.85 <0.001 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate 6 mo |1 mo 1.15 0.039 arabitol/xylitol 6 mo |3 mo 1.09 0.039 benzoylcarnitine 3 mo |0 mo 1.16 0.028 6 mo |0 mo 1.18 0.014 chenodeoxycholate 1 mo |0 mo 3.11 <0.001 3 mo |0 mo 2.60 <0.001 6 mo |0 mo 4.07 <0.001 creatine 6 mo |1 mo 1.14 0.002 6 mo |3 mo 1.16 <0.001 hippurate 6 mo |0 mo 1.12 0.003 lactate 6 mo |1 mo 1.11 0.037 lignoceroylcarnitine (C24) 1 mo |0 mo 2.81 <0.001 3 mo |0 mo 3.28 <0.001 6 mo |0 mo 2.85 <0.001 N-acetylputrescine 3 mo |1 mo 1.15 0.030 O-sulfo-L-tyrosine 6 mo |0 mo 1.09 0.046 xanthurenate 6 mo |0 mo 1.33 0.001

Example 3

Example 1 identified 61 serum biochemicals that can serve as biomarkers and candidate therapeutics for neurodegenerative disease (Table 2). As a proof of concept for these biochemicals' therapeutic capabilities to treat neuroinflammation, this study examined the ability for two of the biochemicals, 4-hydroxyglutamate and xanthurenate, to effectively lower inflammation in human cell lines mimicking various inflammatory states. As demonstrated in Example 1, higher serum levels of both of these biochemicals were associated with lower neuroinflammation (CD68⁺ cell density in the brain) and lower circulating neutrophils. Both biochemicals were present in higher levels in wild dolphins compared to Navy dolphins. As demonstrated in Example 2, both 4-hydroxyglutamate and xanthurenate were

Anti-inflammatory phenotypic profiling was conducted across 12 human primary cell-based systems as part of DiscoverX's BioMAP Diversity Plus program. These systems are designed to model complex human tissue and disease biology of the vasculature, skin, lung, and inflammatory tissues. Quantitative measurements of biomarker activities across this broad panel were used to assess each biochemical's anti-inflammatory activity at four concentrations (740 nm and 2.2, 6.7 and 20 μM). Cell-based activated systems were incubated with 4-hydroxyglutamate or xanthurenate for 24 to 72 hours. Protein-based biomarkers from activated cell systems were measured and compared with controls. Biomarker activities were annotated when 2 or more consecutive concentrations change in the same directions relative to vehicle controls, were outside of the significance envelope and had at least one concentration with an effect size>20% (log10 ratio)>0.1.

In the study, 4-hydroxyglutamate, an amino acid involved in glutamate metabolism, caused significant and dose-dependent T cell antiproliferative activity in a human cell system mimicking Th1 type chronic inflammation and T cell effector responses. In this system, human primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells were stimulated with T-cell receptor ligands and incubated with the test agent, drug control, or vehicle control for 24 hours. A negative, non-stimulated system was also included. 4-hydroxyglutamate at 0.7, 2.2 and 6.7uM concentrations significantly decreased T cell proliferation compared to internal controls (FIG. 2). This antiproliferative activity was lost at higher concentrations (20 μM). In this system, T cell proliferation is considered a critical event driving an inflammatory response. Antiproliferative activity demonstrated by 4-hydroxyglutamate in this human cell system is consistent with this biochemical's associations with lower neuroinflammation and systemic neutrophil counts in Examples 1 and 2.

In the study, xanthurenate, an amino acid involved in tryptophan metabolism, caused significant and dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activities in human cell systems mimicking monocyte-driven Th1 inflammation and T cell dependent B cell proliferation. In the first system, human primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells and venular endothelial cells were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and incubated with the test agent, drug control, or vehicle control for 24 hours. In the second system, peripheral blood mononuclear cells and B cells were stimulated with α-IgM and T cell receptor ligands and incubated with the test agent, drug control, or vehicle control for 24 hours. In both systems, a negative, non-stimulated system was also included.

Xanthurenate significantly reduced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) at 6.7 uM (−0.16 log (10)-transformed ratio for drug-treated samples over vehicle controls, P≤0.05) and TNF-α at 20 μM (−0.19 log (10)-transformed ratio for drug-treated samples over vehicle controls, P≤0.05) in the first system, and reduced interleukin (IL)-6 (−0.13 log (10)-transformed ratio for drug-treated samples over vehicle controls, P≤0.05) in the second system. PGE2, TNF-α and IL-6 are all considered pro-inflammatory agents. Antiinflammatory activities demonstrated by xanthurenate in these human cell systems are consistent with this biochemical's associations with lower neuroinflammation and systemic neutrophil counts in Examples 1 and 2.

This proof of concept study successfully demonstrated that serum biochemicals identified in dolphin serum as a means to detect, prevent and treat neurodegenerative diseases can successfully demonstrate cell-based activity that is relevant to the targeted components of neurodegenerative diseases (i.e., neuroinflammation) and at relevant therapeutic concentrations.

In summary, results from the examples demonstrate that 1) targeted biochemicals were successfully identified in serum in which higher levels with age were associated with animals with lower indices of neurodegeneration, namely amyloid-β plaques in the brain, neuroinflammation, and/or neuronal iron deposition (as well as lower plasma glucose and/or circulating neutrophil counts), 2) in most cases, wild dolphins had higher levels of these targeted biochemicals compared to Navy animals, 3) levels of targeted biochemicals could be raised serum using dietary interventions, and 4) one could, using the targeted biochemicals with anti-neuroinflammatory profiles in dolphins, successfully demonstrate anti-inflammatory activities in human cell-based systems mimicking inflammation.

Small molecule (defined as less than 900 daltons in molecular weight) biochemicals described herein can be present in serum or plasma due to either ingestion of food products or endogenous production. Thousands of small molecule biochemicals can be detected and measured in serum of animals, including dolphins and humans. Metabolomics, the study of biochemicals and their biologically relevant roles, is a relatively novel field of study. Due to the large number of biochemicals present and high potential variation of biochemicals driven by complex diets, environments, genetics, and long-term medications in human populations, identifying biochemicals with the greatest biomarker and therapeutic potential has been complicated. Based upon the results using the methods of the embodiments, it can be proposed that small molecule biochemicals described herein may be key players in detecting, preventing, and treating neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy, as well as conditions that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaques, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia.

To take advantage of these benefits, small molecule biochemicals described herein can be used in a supplement, medical food, food additive, food fortifier, beverage additive, beverage fortifier, or pharmaceutical in any form, including as a tablet, encapsulated pill, gelcap pill, liquid suspension, spray, and powder. Additionally, diagnostic tests and assays for small molecule biochemicals described herein in human and animal samples (including blood (serum, plasma, and erythrocyte membranes), urine, and feces) can be used to detect low small molecule biochemicals and to continually monitor small molecule metabolite levels in patients. The use of small molecule biochemicals can prevent, stem, and treat: neurodegenerative conditions, including Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy, as well as conditions that contribute to neurodegenerative diseases, including peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaques, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia.

The data support the benefit of and feasibility for raised levels of small molecule biochemicals described herein to lower key components of neurodegenerative diseases, including inflammation, amyloid-β plaques, neuronal iron deposition and hyperglycemia.

The data demonstrate beneficial activity of small molecule biochemicals at specific and relevant concentrations ranging 0.7 μM to at 20 μM, with targeted increases ranging from 1.1 to 11 times greater levels and most beneficial effects anticipated by at least 4-fold increases in serum levels. Dosing of small molecule biochemicals to achieve these serum, plasma, cell, or tissue levels is expected to confer the observed beneficial effects.

Example 4

In order to demonstrate that the screened compounds have activity relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, human cell-based studies were completed using a selected subset of synthesized compounds. As a proof of concept, 12 compounds were selected from the compound library based on predicted efficacy in lowering brain histologic changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases (amyloid-β plaque density and CD68+ cell density) in dolphins. Pure synthetic forms of these compounds were screened for cell-based activities relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, especially inflammation, using twelve different human primary cell systems mimicking various inflammatory disease states (Table 6).

Methods

The Diversity PLUS panel allows test agent characterization in an unbiased way across a broad set of systems modeling various human disease states. These systems are designed to model complex human tissue and disease biology of the vasculature, skin, lung, and inflammatory tissues. Quantitative measurements of 148 biomarker activities across this broad panel, along with comparative analysis of biological activities from known bioactive agents, were used to predict and compare the efficacy and function of each selected compound at selected concentrations (6.7 and/or 20 μM).

BioMAP systems are constructed with one or more primary cell types from healthy human donors, with stimuli (such as cytokines or growth factors) added to capture relevant signaling networks that naturally occur in human tissue or pathological conditions. Vascular biology is modeled in both a Th1 (3C system) and a Th2 (4H system) inflammatory environment, as well as in a Th1 inflammatory state specific to arterial smooth muscle cells (CASM3C system). Additional systems recapitulate aspects of the systemic immune response including monocyte-driven Th1 inflammation (LPS system) or T cell stimulation (SAg system), chronic Th1 inflammation driven by macrophage activation (lMphg system) and the T cell-dependent activation of B cells that occurs in germinal centers (BT system). The BE3C system (Th1) and the BF4T system (Th2) represent airway inflammation of the lung, while the MyoF system models myofibroblast-lung tissue remodeling. Lastly, skin biology is addressed in the KF3CT system modeling Th1 cutaneous inflammation and the HDF3CGF system modeling wound healing.

Each test agent generates a signature BioMAP profile that is created from the changes in protein biomarker readouts within individual system environments. Biomarker readouts (7-17 per system) are selected for therapeutic and biological relevance, are predictive for disease outcomes or specific drug effects and are validated using agents with known mechanism of action (MoA). Each readout is measured quantitatively by immune-based methods that detect protein (e.g., ELISA) or functional assays that measure proliferation and viability. BioMAP readouts are diverse and include cell surface receptors, cytokines, chemokines, matrix molecules and enzymes. In total, the Diversity PLUS panel contains 148 biomarker readouts that capture biological changes that occur within the physiological context of the particular BioMAP system. Specific BioMAP activities have been correlated to in vivo biology, and multiparameter BioMAP profiles have been used to distinguish compounds based on MoA and target selectivity across diverse physiological systems.

Activated BioMAP systems were incubated with each compound for 24 to 72 hours. Protein-based biomarkers from activated cell systems were measured and compared with non-treated control systems. Biomarker activities were noted as ‘significant’ when at least one compound concentration was outside of the significance envelope and had an effect size>20% (log10 ratio)>0.1. The BioMAP assays do not currently have brain-based cell systems to directly model neurodegenerative diseases; thus, these assays were limited to assessing compounds' potential anti-inflammatory properties given their associations with lower neuroinflammation in the dolphin studies.

Compounds included in this study represented a variety of amino acids, peptides and lipids across multiple pathways. Specifically, the following ten compounds were tested for cell-based therapeutic activities: 4-guanidinobutanoate (amino acid, guanidino metabolism), 4-imidazoleacetate (amino acid, histidine metabolism), cholate (lipid, primary bile acid metabolism), gamma-glutamylhistidine (peptide, gamma-glutamyl amino acid), hippurate (xenobiotic, benzoate metabolism), myo-inositol (lipid, inositol metabolism), N-acetylthreonine (amino acid, threonine metabolism), S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) (amino acid, cysteine metabolism), vanillylmandelate (VMA) (amino acid, tyrosine metabolism), xanthosine (nucleotide, purine metabolism, xanthine containing), and xanthurenate (amino acid, tryptophan metabolism).

Results

All ten compounds successfully demonstrated therapeutic activities, between concentrations of 6.7 and 20 μM, across multiple cell systems mimicking a variety of disease conditions relevant to neurodegenerative diseases (Table 7).

Relevant cell-based disease systems that were successfully attenuated by the selected compounds represented Th1- and Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, metabolic diseases, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary responses to respiratory infections, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation. Summary examples of diseases targeted by the selected compounds are provided (Tables 8-10).

Further, based on this study's findings, neurodegenerative diseases that are driven or exacerbated by the following factors may be attenuated or treated by selected compounds: alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2).

In summary, this study demonstrated that numerous compounds identified in the dolphin metabolome which were predicted to have therapeutic activities relevant to neurodegenerative diseases, especially neuroinflammation, successfully demonstrated anti-inflammatory and other disease-modifying activities in human cell systems mimicking a variety of relevant inflammatory states.

TABLE 6 Description of primary human cell systems used to screen selected compounds in library Cell system Human cell Disease/tissue System name types Stimulation relevance description 4H Venular IL-4, Th2-type Models Th2 type endothelial histamine inflammatory vascular cells conditions: inflammation that autoimmunity, allergy, promotes mast cell, asthma, ulcerative basophil, colitis eosinophil, T and B cell recruitment LPS Venular TLR4 Chronic inflammatory Models Th1 type endothelial ligand conditions where chronic cells, monocytes play a key inflammation and peripheral role: atherosclerosis, monocyte blood restenosis, rheumatoid activation process mononuclear arthritis, metabolic cells diseases SAg Venular TCR ligands T-cell driven Models Th1 type endothelial (1X) inflammatory chronic cells, conditions including inflammation and T peripheral organ transplantation, cell effector blood rheumatoid arthritis, responses related to mononuclear psoriasis, Crohn's T cell proliferation cells disease and and activation hematological oncology BT Peripheral α-IgM, TCR Diseases driven by B- Models T cell blood ligands cell activation and dependent B cell mononuclear (0.001X, sub- antibody production: proliferation, cells, B cells mitogenic systemic lupus activation and class levels) erythematosus, switching that hematological occurs in the oncology, germinal centers of autoimmune secondary indications, asthma lymphoid organs and allergy BF4T Bronchial IL-4, TNF-α Allergy and asthma, Models Th2 type epithelial pulmonary fibrosis, lung inflammation cells, dermal COPD exacerbations and environment that fibroblasts promotes recuritment of eosinophils, mast cells and basal cells as well as effector memory T cells BE3C Bronchial IL-1β, IFNγ, Sarcoidosis and Models Th1 type epithelial cells TNFα pulmonary responses lung inflammation to respiratory and environment that infections promotes monocyte and T cell adhesion and recruitment CASM3C Coronary IL-1β, TNFα, Chronic Models Th1 type artery smooth IFNγ inflammatory vascular muscle cells diseases, vascular inflammation and inflammation and environment that restenosis promotes monocyte and T cell recruitment HDF3CGF Dermal IFNγ, TNFα, Various diseases Models wound fibroblasts IL-1β, EGF, including fibrosis, healing and bFGF, PDGF- rheumatoid arthritis, matrix/tissue BB psoriasis and stromal remodeling in the biology in tumors context of Th1-type inflammation KF3CT Keratinocytes, IL-1β, IFNγ, Cutaneous responses Models Th1 type dermal TGFβ, TNFα to tissue damage cutaneous fibroblasts caused by inflammation and mechanical, environment that chemical or promotes monocyte infectious agents; and T cell adhesion certain states of and recruitment psoriasis and dermatitis MyoF Lung TGFβ, TNFα Multiple fibrotic Models general fibroblasts diseases myofibroblast differentiation and tissue remodeling; readout captures impacts on translationally relevant matrix remodeling, tissue repair and inflammation related to responses in fibrotic tissue /Mphg Macrophages, TLR2 ligand Inflammatory Models Th1 type venular conditions where chronic inflammation endothelial monocytes play a and macrophage cells key role including activation responses atherosclerosis, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and other chronic inflammatory conditions

TABLE 7 Therapeutic activities of selected compounds in primary human cell systems mimicking various aging-associated diseases Significant log10 reduction of biomarkers (outside 95^(th) percentile Human Active and at least 20% (log10 < −0.10) primary cell- Biomarkers significantly concentrations reduction) in treated systems Compound based system Disease systems lowered by compound (μM) compared to nontreated controls 4-guanidinobutanoate 4H Autoimmunity, Allergy, MCP-1 6.7-20 −0.12 Asthma SAg Chronic Inflammation, CD38 −0.10 Autoimmune Disease T cell proliferation −0.13 BT Asthma, Oncology, Secreted IgG −0.49 Autoimmunity, Allergy sIL-17A −0.17 TNF-alpha −0.10 HDF3CGF Fibrosis, Chronic VCAM-1 −0.19 Inflammation Collagen III −0.30 CXCL10 −0.11 CXCL11 −0.19 Fibroblast proliferation −1.09 TIMP-1 −0.14 Cholate LPS Chronic Inflammation, Tissue factor 20 −0.13 Cardiovascular Disease BE3C COPD, Lung Inflammation MMP-1 −0.10 CASM3C Cardiovascular Thrombomodulin −0.12 Inflammation, Restenosis Gamma-glutamylhistidine 3C Chronic Inflammation, Tissue factor 20 −0.12 Cardiovascular Disease LPS Chronic Inflammation, CD40 −0.11 Cardiovascular Disease E-selectin −0.11 BT Asthma, Oncology, sTNF-alpha −0.18 Autoimmunity, Allergy BE3C COPD, Lung Inflammation MMP-1 −0.10 CASM3C Cardiovascular Thombomodulin −0.12 Inflammation, Restenosis /Mphg Chronic Inflammation, IL-8 −0.15 Restenosis, Cardiovascular Disease Hippurate 3C Chronic Inflammation, Tissue factor 6.7-20 −0.10 Cardiovascular Disease 4H Autoimmunity, Allergy, P-selectin −0.10 Asthma LPS Chronic Inflammation, CD40 −0.11 Cardiovascular Disease BT Asthma, Oncology, Secreted IgG −0.21 Autoimmunity, Allergy BE3C COPD, Lung Inflammation MMP-1 −0.14 CASM3C Cardiovascular Thombomodulin −0.16 Inflammation, Restenosis /Mphg Chronic Inflammation, IL-8 −0.12 Restenosis, Cardiovascular Disease Myo-inositol BE3C COPD, Lung Inflammation MMP-1 6.7 −0.12 CASM3C Cardiovascular M-CSF −0.10 Inflammation, Restenosis N-acetylthreonine 4H Autoimmunity, Allergy, VEGFR2 20 −0.16 Asthma BT Asthma, Oncology, Secreted IgG −0.41 Autoimmunity, Allergy S-adenosylhomocysteine SAg Chronic Inflammation, T cell proliferation 20 −0.21 (SAH) Autoimmune Disease BT Asthma, Oncology, Secreted IgG −0.29 Autoimmunity, Allergy BE3C COPD, Lung Inflammation CXCL11 −0.13 IL-8 −0.13 HLA-DR −0.13 MMP-9 −0.24 HDF3CGF Fibrosis, Chronic MCP-1 −0.14 Inflammation VCAM-1 −0.17 Collagen III −0.21 CXCL10 −0.19 CXCL11 −0.25 M-CSF −0.19 Fibroblast proliferation −1.10 TIMP-1 −0.14 KF3CT Dermatitis, Psoriasis MMP-9 −0.10 PAI-1 −0.28 MyoF Chronic Inflammation, Alpha-SM actin −0.18 Fibrosis, Matric Remodeling, VCAM-1 −0.12 Wound Healing Collagen I −0.15 Collagen III −0.27 Vanillylmandelate (VMA) /Mphg Chronic Inflammation, IL-8 −0.18 Restenosis, Cardiovascular Disease Xanthosine LPS Chronic Inflammation, Tissue factor 6.7-20 −0.13 Cardiovascular Disease CD40 −0.12 CASM3C Cardiovascular Inflam Thrombomodulin −0.11 Chronic Inflammation, Tissue factor −0.13 Restenosis, Cardiovascular Disease mation, Restenosis /Mphg IL-8 −0.13 Xanthurenate LPS Chronic inflammation, Secreted prostaglandin E2 6.7 −0.16 cardiovascular disease (PGE2) 20 −0.09 BT Asthma, oncology, Tumor necrosis factor alpha −0.19 autoimmunity, allergy (TNFα) Secreted interleukin 6 (IL-6) −0.13

TABLE 8 Examples of diseases involving Th2 type inflammation or T-cell dependent B cell proliferation targeted by selected compounds, based on human primary cell phenotypic profiling activity data Significantly reduced cell-based biomarkers relevant to specific diseases and conditions Hemato- Clinical compound Th2 type Auto- Ulcerative Pulmonary logical candidate inflammation immunity Allergy Asthma colitis fibrosis COPD SLE oncology 4-guanidinobutanoate x x x x x Cholate Gamma- x x x x x glutamylhistidine Hippurate x x x x x Myo-inositol x x N-acetylthreonine x x x x S-adenosylhomo- x x x x x cysteine (SAH)

TABLE 9 Examples of diseases involving Th1 type inflammation targeted by selected compounds, based on human primary cell phenotypic profiling activity data Significantly reduced cell-based biomarkers relevant to specific diseases and conditions Clinical compound Th1 type Chronic Cardiovascular Rheumatoid Organ candidate inflammation inflammation disease Restenosis arthritis transplantation Psoriasis 4-guanidinobutanoate x x Cholate x x x Gamma- x x x x glutamylhistidine Hippurate x x x x S-adenosylhomo- x x cysteine (SAH) Vanillylmandelate x x x x (VMA) Xanthosine x x x x Xanthurenate x x x x x x x

TABLE 10 Examples of diseases targeted by selected compounds, based on human primary cell phenotypic profiling activity data Significantly reduced cell-based biomarkers relevant to specific diseases and conditions Pulmonary Stromal Lung responses to Vascular biology Clinical compound Dermatitis/ Crohn's inflam- respiratory inflam- in candidate Psoriasis disease Oncology mation infections mation Fibrosis tumors 4-guanidinobutanoate x x Cholate x Gamma- x x glutamylhistidine Hippurate x x Myo-inositol x N-acetylthreonine x S-adenosyl- x x x x homocysteine (SAH) Vanillylmandelate x (VMA) Xanthosine Xanthurenate x x x x x x x

Exemplary Pharmaceutical Compositions, Uses, and Methods

Pharmaceutical Composition 1: A pharmaceutical composition for for treatment or prophylaxis of a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy; for treatment of one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease, wherein the one or more conditions are selected from the group consisting of peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition, hyperglycemia, Th1-type inflammation, Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, metabolic diseases, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary responses to respiratory infections, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation; or for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease that is driven or exacerbated by one or more factors selected from the group consisting of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2), the pharmaceutical composition comprising: one or more small molecule biochemicals, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Pharmaceutical Composition 2: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 1, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides, peptides or xenobiotics, and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 3: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Composition 1 or 2, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is capable of detection in serum at concentrations of from 1-10 nanomolar to 1-30 micromolar levels, has a low molecular weight of <900 daltons, and meets Lipinski's rule of five.

Pharmaceutical Composition 4: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is an amino acid.

Pharmaceutical Composition 5: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 4, wherein the amino acid is selected from the group consisting of 1-carboxyethylleucine, 1-carboxyethylvaline, 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (C5), 3-hydroxyisobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate, 4-guanidinobutanoate, 4-hydroxyglutamate, 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine, 5-oxoproline, betaine, creatine, indole-3-carboxylate, kynurenate, N6-acetyllysine, N-acetylalanine, N-acetylglycine, N-acetylisoleucine, N-acetylputrescine, N-acetyltaurine, N-acetylthreonine, pyroglutamine, vanillylmandelate (VMA), xanthurenate and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 6: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a peptide.

Pharmaceutical Composition 7: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 6, wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of gamma-glutamylcitrulline, gamma-glutamylhistidine, and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 8: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a carbohydrate.

Pharmaceutical Composition 9: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 8, wherein the carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of arabitol/xylitol, lactate, pyruvate, ribitol, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 10: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a regulator of energy or a nucleotide.

Pharmaceutical Composition 11: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 10, wherein the regulator of energy or the nucleotide is selected from the group consisting of aconitate [cis or trans], 2′-deoxycytidine, 2′-deoxyuridine, adenine, thymidine, xanthosine, and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 12: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a xenobiotic.

Pharmaceutical Composition 13: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 12, wherein the xenobiotic is selected from the group consisting of benzoylcarnitine, erythritol, hippurate, methylnaphthyl sulfate, O-sulfo-L-tyrosine, and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 14: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a diacyglycerol.

Pharmaceutical Composition 15: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 14, wherein the diacyglycerol is DAG (18:1/20:2).

Pharmaceutical Composition 16: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a sphingolipid.

Pharmaceutical Composition 17: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 16, wherein the sphingolipid is lactosylceramide (LCER) 18:1

Pharmaceutical Composition 18: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a lipid.

Pharmaceutical Composition 19: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 18, wherein the lipid is selected from the group consisting of chenodeoxycholate, cholate, maleate, myo-inositol, and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 20: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylethanolamine ester.

Pharmaceutical Composition 21: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 20, wherein the phosphatidylethanolamine ester is selected from the group consisting of, PE (O-16:0/16:1), PE (O-18:0/20:1), and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 22: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a triacylglycerol.

Pharmaceutical Composition 23: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 22, wherein the triacylglycerol is selected from the group consisting of TAG52:1-FA20:0, TAG52:2-FA20:0, TAG54:0-FA16:0, TAG54:1-FA18:1, TAG54:1-FA20:0, TAG54:2-FA20:0, TAG54:4-FA20:4, TAG55:6-FA20:3, TAG56:1-FA18:1, TAG56:2-FA20:0, TAG56:4-FA22:4, TAG58:5-FA18:1, TAG58:6-FA22:4, or TAG58:7-FA22:4, and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 24: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a free fatty acid.

Pharmaceutical Composition 25: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 24, wherein the free fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of FFA 18:1, caprate (C10:0) and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 26: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a product of fatty acid metabolism.

Pharmaceutical Composition 27: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 26, wherein the product of fatty acid metabolism is selected from the group consisting of propionylglycine, lignoceroylcarnitine (C24), cerotoylcarnitine (C26), N-palmitoylglycine, cis-4-decenoylcarnitine (C10:1), behenoylcarnitine (C22), pentadecanoylcarnitine (C15), arachidonoylcholine, and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 28: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylcholine.

Pharmaceutical Composition 29: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 28, wherein the phosphatidylcholine is selected from the group consisting of PC (12:0/20:1), PC (20:0/16:1), PC (20:0/18:1), PC (20:0/18:2), PC (20:0/20:3), PC (20:0/20:4), PC (20:0/20:5) and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 30: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylethanolamine.

Pharmaceutical Composition 31: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 30, wherein the phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of PE (14:0/20:1), PE (16:0/20:1), PE (16:0/22:4), PE (18:1/22:0), PE (18:1/22:4), PE (18:1/22:5) PE (18:1/22:6), and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 32: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen.

Pharmaceutical Composition 33: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 32, wherein the phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen is selected from the group consisting of PE (P-16:0/18:0), PE (P-18:0/18:1), PE (P-18:0/18:2), PE (P-18:0/22:2), PE (P-18:0/18:1), PE (P-18:2/22:6), and combinations thereof.

Pharmaceutical Composition 34: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a ceramide.

Pharmaceutical Composition 35: The pharmaceutical composition of Pharmaceutical Composition 34, wherein the ceramide is ceramide CER (14:0).

Pharmaceutical Composition 36: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a lipid metabolite.

Pharmaceutical Composition 37: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the small molecule biochemical is 4-guanidinobutanoate.

Pharmaceutical Composition 38: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the small molecule biochemical is gamma-glutamylhistidine.

Pharmaceutical Composition 39: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 3, wherein the small molecule biochemical is S-adenosylhomocysteine.

Pharmaceutical Composition 40: The pharmaceutical composition of any of Pharmaceutical Compositions 36 through 39, further comprising hippurate.

Pharmaceutical Composition 41: The pharmaceutical composition of any one of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 40, wherein the composition is in a unit dosage form.

Pharmaceutical Composition 42: The pharmaceutical composition of any one of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 41, configured for administration of from 2.5 mg to 50 mg, per 1 kg of body weight, of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof to a patient.

Pharmaceutical Composition 43: The pharmaceutical composition of any one of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 42, configured for administration once per day.

Pharmaceutical Composition 44: The pharmaceutical composition of any one of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 43, comprising from 0.01 mg to 10000 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Use 45: Use of a pharmaceutical composition of any one of Pharmaceutical Compositions 1 through 44, in the manufacture of a medicament for treatment or prophylaxis of a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy; for treatment of one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease, wherein the one or more conditions are selected from the group consisting of peripheral, inflammation, central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition, hyperglycemia, Th1-type inflammation, Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, a metabolic disease, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, a pulmonary response to respiratory infection, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation; or for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease that is driven or exacerbated by one or more factors selected from the group consisting of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2).

Use 46: The use of Use 45, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is adapted to modulate a marker or a symptom of a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, a dementia, Parkinson's disease, a prion disease, a motor neuron disease, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy.

Use 47: The use of Use 45, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is adapted to modulate a marker or a symptom of a condition that is a contributor to a neurodegenerative disease, wherein the condition is selected from the group consisting of peripheral inflammation, central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition, hyperglycemia, Th1-type inflammation, Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, a metabolic disease, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, a pulmonary response to respiratory infection, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation.

Use 48: The use of Use 45, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is adapted to treat a neurodegenerative disease that is driven or exacerbated by one or more factors selected from the group consisting of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2).

Use 49: The use of Use 45, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is adapted to modulate a factor that drives or exacerbates a neurodegenerative disease, the factor selected from the group consisting of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemo attractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2).

Use 50: The use of Use 45, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is adapted to treat a condition selected from the group consisting of Th1-type inflammation, Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, a metabolic disease, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, a pulmonary response to respiratory infection, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation.

Use 52: The use of any one of Uses 45 through 50, wherein the one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease is chronic inflammation.

Use 52: The use of any one of Uses 45 through 50, wherein the one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease is neuroinflammation.

Use 53: T The use of any one of Uses 45 through 50, wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease.

Use 54: The use of any one of Uses 45 through 53, wherein the marker of neurodegenerative disease is selected from the group consisting of serum concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals, plasma concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals, cell concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals, and tissue concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals.

Use 55: The use of any one of Uses 45 through 54, wherein the pharmaceutical composition is configured to increase a concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals in any one of serum, plasma, or a red blood cell membrane by from 1.1 to 6 times a patient's baseline concentration and/or to a concentration greater than 0.5 μM and less than 30 μM.

Method 56: A method treatment or prophylaxis of a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy; for treatment of one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease, wherein the one or more conditions are selected from the group consisting of peripheral, inflammation, central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition, hyperglycemia, Th1-type inflammation, Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, a metabolic disease, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, a pulmonary response to respiratory infection, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation; or for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease that is driven or exacerbated by one or more factors selected from the group consisting of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2), the method comprising: administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of one or more small molecule biochemicals, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof.

Method 57: The method of Method 56, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides, peptides, xenobiotics, and combinations thereof.

Method 58: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 57, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is capable of detection in serum at concentrations of from 1-10 nanomolar to 1-10 micromolar levels, has a low molecular weight of <900 daltons, and meets Lipinski's rule of five.

Method 59: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is an amino acid.

Method 60: The method of Method 59, wherein the amino acid is selected from the group consisting of 1-carboxyethylleucine, 1-carboxyethylvaline, 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (C5), 3-hydroxyisobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate, 4-guanidinobutanoate, 4-hydroxyglutamate, 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine, 5-oxoproline, betaine, creatine, indole-3-carboxylate, kynurenate, N6-acetyllysine, N-acetylalanine, N-acetylglycine, N-acetylisoleucine, N-acetylputrescine, N-acetyltaurine, N-acetylthreonine, pyroglutamine, vanillylmandelate (VMA), xanthurenate and combinations thereof.

Method 61: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a peptide.

Method 62: The method of Method 61, wherein the peptide is selected from the group consisting of gamma-glutamylcitrulline, gamma-glutamylhistidine, and combinations thereof.

Method 63: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a carbohydrate.

Method 64: The method of Method 63, wherein the carbohydrate is selected from the group consisting of arabitol/xylitol, lactate, pyruvate, ribitol, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) and combinations thereof.

Method 65: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a regulator of energy or a nucleotide.

Method 66: The method of Method 65, wherein the regulator of energy or the nucleotide is selected from the group consisting of aconitate [cis or trans], 2′-deoxycytidine, 2′-deoxyuridine, adenine, thymidine, xanthosine, and combinations thereof.

Method 67: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a xenobiotic.

Method 68: The method of any of Method 67 wherein the xenobiotic is selected from the group consisting of benzoylcarnitine, erythritol, hippurate, methylnaphthyl sulfate, O-sulfo-L-tyrosine, and combinations thereof.

Method 69: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a diacyglycerol.

Method 70: The method of Method 69, wherein the diacyglycerol is DAG (18:1/20:2).

Method 72: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a sphingolipid.

Method 72: The method of Method 71, wherein the sphingolipid is lactosylceramide (LCER) 18:1

Method 73: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a lipid.

Method 74: The method of Method 73, wherein the lipid is selected from the group consisting of chenodeoxycholate, cholate, maleate, myo-inositol, and combinations thereof.

Method 75: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylethanolamine ester.

Method 76: The method of Method 75, wherein the phosphatidylethanolamine ester is selected from the group consisting of, PE (0-16:0/16:1), PE (0-18:0/20:1), and combinations thereof.

Method 77: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a triacylglycerol.

Method 78: The method of Method 77, wherein the triacylglycerol is selected from the group consisting of TAG52:1-FA20:0, TAG52:2-FA20:0, TAG54:0-FA16:0, TAG54: 1-FA18: 1, TAG54: 1-FA20:0, TAG54:2-FA20:0, TAG54:4-FA20:4, TAG55:6-FA20:3, TAG56:1-FA18:1, TAG56:2-FA20:0, TAG56:4-FA22:4, TAG58:5-FA18:1, TAG58:6-FA22:4, or TAG58:7-FA22:4, and combinations thereof.

Method 79: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a free fatty acid.

Method 80: The method of Method 79, wherein the free fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of FFA 18:1, caprate (C10:0) and combinations thereof.

Method 82: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a product of fatty acid metabolism.

Method 82: The method of Method 81, wherein the product of fatty acid metabolism is selected from the group consisting of propionylglycine, lignoceroylcarnitine (C24), cerotoylcarnitine (C26), N-palmitoylglycine, cis-4-decenoylcarnitine (C10:1), behenoylcarnitine (C22), pentadecanoylcarnitine (C15), arachidonoylcholine, and combinations thereof.

Method 83: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylcholine.

Method 84: The method of Method 83, wherein the phosphatidylcholine is selected from the group consisting of PC (12:0/20:1), PC (20:0/16:1), PC (20:0/18:1), PC (20:0/18:2), PC (20:0/20:3), PC (20:0/20:4), PC (20:0/20:5) and combinations thereof.

Method 85: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylethanolamine.

Method 86: The method of Method 85, wherein the phosphatidylethanolamine is selected from the group consisting of PE (14:0/20:1), PE (16:0/20:1), PE (16:0/22:4), PE (18:1/22:0), PE (18:1/22:4), PE (18:1/22:5) PE (18:1/22:6), and combinations thereof.

Method 87: The method of any of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is a phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen.

Method 88: The method of Method 87, wherein the phosphatidylethanolamine plasmalogen is selected from the group consisting of PE (P-16:0/18:0), PE (P-18:0/18:1), PE (P-18:0/18:2), PE (P-18:0/22:2), PE (P-18:0/18:1), PE (P-18:2/22:6), and combinations thereof.

Method 89: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 58, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is an amino acid or lipid.

Method 90: The method of Method 56, wherein the small molecule biochemical is 4-guanidinobutanoate.

Method 91: The method of Method 56, wherein the small molecule biochemical is gamma-glutamylhistidine.

Method 92: The method of Method 56, wherein the small molecule biochemical is S-adenosylhomocysteine.

Method 93: The method of Method 56, wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises hippurate.

Method 94: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 93, wherein the pharmaceutical composition comprises a plurality of different small molecule biochemicals.

Method 95: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 94, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof is provided as a pharmaceutical composition in a unit dosage form comprising the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Method 96: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 95, wherein the unit dosage form comprises from 0.01 mg to 10000 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

Method 97: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 96, wherein from 2.5 mg to 50 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof is administered to the patient, per 1 kg of body weight, per day.

Method 98: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 97, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof is administered to the patient once per day.

Method 99: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 98, wherein a serum, plasma, red blood cell, or tissue concentration is increased between 1.1 and 6 times a patient's baseline concentration and/or to a concentration greater than 0.5 μM and less than 30 μM.

Method 100: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 99, wherein the one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease is chronic inflammation.

Method 101: The method of any one of Methods 56 through 99, wherein the one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease is neuroinflammation.

Method 102: The method of any one of Method 56 through 99, wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease.

Composition 103: A composition substantially as described herein.

Use 104: A use substantially as described herein.

Method 105: A method substantially as described herein.

Methods and compositions related to or applicable to neurodegenerative diseases or related conditions are discussed in the following references, which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety: Jove M, Portero-Otin M, Naudi A, Ferrer I, Pamplona R (2014) Metabolomics of human brain aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases. J Neuropathol Exp Neurol 73:640-657, Bogdanov M, Matson W R, Wang L, Matson T, Saunders-Pullman R, Bressman S S, Beal M F (2008) Metabolomic profiling to develop blood biomarkers for Parkinson's disease. Brain 131:389-396, Kaddurh-Daouk R, Krishnan K R R (2009) Metabolomics: A global biochemical approach to the study of central nervous system diseases. Neuropsychopharmacol 34:173-186, Trushina E and Mielke M M (2014) Recent advances in the application of metabolomics to Alzheimer's disease. Bioch Biophy Acta 1842:1232-1239, Trushina A, Dutta T, Persoon X M T, Mielke M M, Petersen R C (2013) Identification of altered metabolic pathways in plasma and CSF in mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease using metabolomics. PLOS ONE 8(5):e63644, Salek R M, Xia J, Innes A, Sweatmen BC, Adalbert R, Randle S et al. (2010) A metabolomic study of the CRND8 transgenic mouse model of Alzheimer's disease. Neurochem Int 56:937-947, Barba I, Fernandez-Montesinos R, Garcia-Dorado D, Pozo D (2008) Alzheimer's disease beyond the genomic era: nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy-based metabolomics. J Cell Mol Med 12:1477-1485.

While the disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, such illustration and description are to be considered illustrative or exemplary and not restrictive. The disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed disclosure, from a study of the drawings, the disclosure and the appended claims.

All references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. To the extent publications and patents or patent applications incorporated by reference contradict the disclosure contained in the specification, the specification is intended to supersede and/or take precedence over any such contradictory material.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) are to be given their ordinary and customary meaning to a person of ordinary skill in the art, and are not to be limited to a special or customized meaning unless expressly so defined herein. It should be noted that the use of particular terminology when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosure should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being re-defined herein to be restricted to include any specific characteristics of the features or aspects of the disclosure with which that terminology is associated. Terms and phrases used in this application, and variations thereof, especially in the appended claims, unless otherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposed to limiting. As examples of the foregoing, the term ‘including’ should be read to mean ‘including, without limitation,’ ‘including but not limited to,’ or the like; the term ‘comprising’ as used herein is synonymous with ‘including,’ ‘containing,’ or ‘characterized by,’ and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps; the term ‘having’ should be interpreted as ‘having at least;’ the term ‘includes’ should be interpreted as ‘includes but is not limited to;’ the term ‘example’ is used to provide exemplary instances of the item in discussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; adjectives such as ‘known’, ‘normal’, ‘standard’, and terms of similar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item described to a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, but instead should be read to encompass known, normal, or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at any time in the future; and use of terms like ‘preferably,’ ‘preferred,’ ‘desired,’ or ‘desirable,’ and words of similar meaning should not be understood as implying that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the invention, but instead as merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be utilized in a particular embodiment of the invention. Likewise, a group of items linked with the conjunction ‘and’ should not be read as requiring that each and every one of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be read as ‘and/or’ unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group of items linked with the conjunction ‘or’ should not be read as requiring mutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should be read as ‘and/or’ unless expressly stated otherwise.

As used in the claims below and throughout this disclosure, by the phrase “consisting essentially of” is meant including any elements listed after the phrase, and limited to other elements that do not interfere with or contribute to the activity or action specified in the disclosure for the listed elements. Thus, the phrase “consisting essentially of” indicates that the listed elements are required or mandatory, but that other elements are optional and may or may not be present depending upon whether or not they affect the activity or action of the listed elements.

Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that the upper and lower limit, and each intervening value between the upper and lower limit of the range is encompassed within the embodiments.

With respect to the use of substantially any plural and/or singular terms herein, those having skill in the art can translate from the plural to the singular and/or from the singular to the plural as is appropriate to the context and/or application. The various singular/plural permutations may be expressly set forth herein for sake of clarity. The indefinite article “a” or “an” does not exclude a plurality. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage. Any reference signs in the claims should not be construed as limiting the scope.

It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to embodiments containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B.”

All numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term ‘about.’ Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth herein are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of any claims in any application claiming priority to the present application, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding approaches.

Furthermore, although the foregoing has been described in some detail by way of illustrations and examples for purposes of clarity and understanding, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that certain changes and modifications may be practiced. Therefore, the description and examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention to the specific embodiments and examples described herein, but rather to also cover all modification and alternatives coming with the true scope and spirit of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treatment or prophylaxis of a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy; for treatment of one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease, wherein the one or more conditions are selected from the group consisting of peripheral, inflammation, central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition, hyperglycemia, Th1-type inflammation, Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, a metabolic disease, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, a pulmonary response to respiratory infection, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation; or for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease that is driven or exacerbated by one or more factors selected from the group consisting of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2), the method comprising: administering to a patient in need thereof, an effective amount of one or more small molecule biochemicals, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, nucleotides, peptides, xenobiotics, and combinations thereof.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is capable of detection in serum at concentrations of from 1-10 nanomolar to 1-10 micromolar levels, has a low molecular weight of <900 daltons, and meets Lipinski's rule of five.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is 4-guanidinobutanoate.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is gamma-glutamylhistidine.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is S-adenosylhomocysteine.
 7. The method of claim 1, further comprising administering hippurate, and wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is selected from the group consisting of 4-guanidinobutanoate, gamma-glutamylhistidine, and S-adenosylhomocysteine.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease is chronic inflammation.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease is neuroinflammation.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the neurodegenerative disease is Alzheimer's disease.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein a serum, plasma, red blood cell, or tissue concentration of the one or more small molecule biochemicals is increased by from 1.1 to 6 times of the patient's baseline concentration and/or to a concentration greater than 0.5 μM and less than 30 μM.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof is administered in a form selected from the group consisting of a foodstuff, a nutritional supplement, and a pharmaceutical composition in a unit dosage form.
 13. The method of claim 8, wherein the unit dosage form comprises from 0.01 mg to 10000 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein from 2.5 mg to 50 mg of the one or more small molecule biochemicals or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof is administered to the patient, per 1 kg of body weight, per day.
 15. A pharmaceutical composition for treatment or prophylaxis of a neurodegenerative disease selected from the group consisting of Alzheimer's disease, dementias, Parkinson's disease, prion disease, motor neuron diseases, Huntington's disease, spinocerebellar ataxia, and spinal muscular atrophy; for treatment of one or more conditions that are contributors to neurodegenerative disease, wherein the one or more conditions are selected from the group consisting of peripheral and central inflammation, amyloid-β plaque deposition in the brain, neuronal iron deposition, hyperglycemia, Th1-type inflammation, Th2-type inflammation, T-cell dependent B cell proliferation, allergy, asthma, atherosclerosis, autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Crohn's disease, cutaneous responses to tissue damage, fibrosis, hematological oncology, metabolic diseases, organ transplantation, psoriasis, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary responses to respiratory infections, restenosis, rheumatoid arthritis, sarcoidosis, stromal biology in tumors, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), ulcerative colitis, and vascular inflammation; or for treatment of a neurodegenerative disease that is driven or exacerbated by one or more factors selected from the group consisting of alpha smooth muscle actin (αSMA), CD38, CD40, collagen I, collagen III, e-selectin, fibroblast proliferation, human leukocyte antigen-DR isotype (HLA-DR), immunoglobulin G, interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10/CXCL10), interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC/CXCL11), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 (CXCL8), IL-17A, macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, MMP-9, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1), P selectin, plasminogen activation inhibitor 1 (PAI-1), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), T cell proliferation, thrombomodulin, tissue factor, TIMP-1, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (VEGFR2), the pharmaceutical composition comprising: one or more small molecule biochemicals, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, solvates, stereoisomers, or esters thereof; and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
 16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is selected from the group consisting of amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, a regulator of energy, nucleotides, peptides, xenobiotics, diaglycerols, sphingolipids, phosphatidylethanolamine esters, triacylglycerols, and combinations thereof.
 17. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is capable of detection in serum at concentrations of from 1-10 nanomolar to 1-30 micromolar levels, has a low molecular weight of <900 daltons, and meets Lipinski's rule of five.
 18. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemicals is selected from the group consisting of 1-carboxyethylleucine, 1-carboxyethylvaline, 2-methylbutyrylcarnitine (C5), 3-hydroxyisobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxobutyrate, 3-methyl-2-oxovalerate, 4-guanidinobutanoate, 4-hydroxyglutamate, 4-methyl-2-oxopentanoate, 5-(galactosylhydroxy)-L-lysine, 5-oxoproline, betaine, creatine, indole-3-carboxylate, kynurenate, N6-acetyllysine, N-acetylalanine, N-acetylglycine, N-acetylisoleucine, N-acetylputrescine, N-acetyltaurine, N-acetylthreonine, pyroglutamine, vanillylmandelate (VMA), xanthurenate, gamma-glutamylcitrulline, gamma-glutamylhistidine, arabitol/xylitol, lactate, pyruvate, ribitol, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH), aconitate [cis or trans], 2′-deoxycytidine, 2′-deoxyuridine, adenine, thymidine, xanthosine, benzoylcarnitine, erythritol, hippurate, methylnaphthyl sulfate, O-sulfo-L-tyrosine, DAG (18:1/20:2), lactosylceramide (LCER) 18:1, chenodeoxycholate, cholate, maleate, myo-inositol, PE (O-16:0/16:1), PE (O-18:0/20:1), TAG52:1-FA20:0, TAG52:2-FA20:0, TAG54:0-FA16:0, TAG54:1-FA18:1, TAG54:1-FA20:0, TAG54:2-FA20:0, TAG54:4-FA20:4, TAG55:6-FA20:3, TAG56:1-FA18:1, TAG56:2-FA20:0, TAG56:4-FA22:4, TAG58:5-FA18:1, TAG58:6-FA22:4, or TAG58:7-FA22:4, free fatty acid 18:1, caprate (C10:0), propionylglycine, lignoceroylcarnitine (C24), cerotoylcarnitine (C26), N-palmitoylglycine, cis-4-decenoylcarnitine (C10:1), behenoylcarnitine (C22), pentadecanoylcarnitine (C15), arachidonoylcholine, PC (12:0/20:1), PC (20:0/16:1), PC (20:0/18:1), PC (20:0/18:2), PC (20:0/20:3), PC (20:0/20:4), PC (20:0/20:5), PE (14:0/20:1), PE (16:0/20:1), PE (16:0/22:4), PE (18:1/22:0), PE (18:1/22:4), PE (18:1/22:5) PE (18:1/22:6), PE (P-16:0/18:0), PE (P-18:0/18:1), PE (P-18:0/18:2), PE (P-18:0/22:2), PE (P-18:0/18:1), PE (P-18:2/22:6), CER (14:0), and combinations thereof.
 19. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15, wherein the small molecule biochemical is selected from the group consisting of 4-guanidinobutanoate, gamma-glutamylhistidine, and S-adenosylhomocysteine, wherein the pharmaceutical composition further comprises hippurate.
 20. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15, wherein the one or more small molecule biochemical is a free fatty acid. 